Concern has been expressed in Clare about whether any deal on a grand coalition can secure the backing of grassroots members within the parties involved.
Negotiating teams from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and the Greens are meeting today, as they begin efforts to reach a deal on a new government.
Formal negotiations on a programme for government are beginning this afternoon, almost 90 days after the election, in the hope of reaching a deal by the end of the month.
Teams from the Green Party, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil will need to reach a consensus on a Covid-19 recovery, as well as issues like housing, healthcare, climate change and childcare.
Negotiators will have to walk the tightrope of considered compromise, while also including enough in the programme for government to get their individual parties to support it when it’s put to a member’s vote in a few weeks’ time.
Chair of Clare Fianna Fáil, Michael Enright says it’s vital that grassroots members are given a say.
A Clare green party representative, meanwhile, insists that grassroots members won’t be responsible for preventing an agreement, but that a bad deal will.
Barry O’Donovan believes a National Unity Government should have been formed to rebuild the country and has cast doubt on whether the proposed three-party deal can succeed.
He says it’s crucial that the Greens have a seat at the table in the next Government, but that regardless of who’s in power, there must be considerable change.
Separately, Aontú leader Peadar Toibín – his party’s only elected TD – will form part of his party’s negotiating team who are also meeting with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.
Michael Glynn, Clare FM, first for local news.
