Labour sources expect that the party will today rule out continuing discussions about entering government with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, effectively shutting down that coalition option for the two larger parties.
The party’s TDs will meet at Leinster House at lunchtime where leader Ivana Bacik is expected to propose the move, which is likely to be backed overwhelmingly by those present.
Labour sources were careful not to get ahead of today’s decision, but there is little expectation in the party that its engagement on government will continue. This will draw a distinction with the Social Democrats, who yesterday said they would continue discussions.
But after meetings with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil this week, there is similarly little expectation in the outgoing government that the Social Democrats are serious about entering coalition.
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The manoeuvres come amid concerns that the ceann comhairle’s position is being used as a “bargaining chip” within government formation talks.
The Dáil speaker’s chair is due to be filled in a secret ballot held next Wednesday, with Independent TD for Wexford Verona Murphy having been put forward by the Regional Group of Independents.
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It had been expected that outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seán Ó Fearghail would be the frontrunner to be re-elected, despite initially indicating that he would not seek the position again.
But after being approached by colleagues and asked to consider another stint in the role, Mr Ó Fearghail again put his name forward. Fianna Fáil TD for Carlow-Kilkenny John McGuinness is also seeking the position.
It is understood that Mr Ó Fearghail was this week approached by people involved in the government formation talks, who outlined that installing an Independent in the speaker’s chair could be essential to securing the support of the Regional Group and that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael TDs could have to support such a move.
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Mr Ó Fearghail had no comment when contacted, but Fianna Fáil TD for Wicklow-Wexford Malcolm Byrne warned it was important that whoever was elected to the role would be someone who “would assert the rights of members” but also be respectful of different political views. “The office is not a political bargaining chip.”
Sinn Féin is also expected to advance a candidate, with long-serving deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh mooted as a potential option. However, a party source said no decision had been made.
Meanwhile, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan said he would continue engagements with other parties next week, predicting they would become “more focused”.
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Party sources predicted that carbon emissions — particularly from the agriculture sector — could prove a stumbling block, even though in initial exchanges, the Social Democrats, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael agreed that the State would be bound to reduce its carbon footprint by 51 per cent under pre-existing targets, or face billions in fines.
One Social Democrat TD outlined the party’s belief that meeting these targets would involve significant change in farming practices, as well as new supports to move farmers from intensive practices, reducing emissions and improving water and air quality in the process. “Previous governments have walked them down a very intensive route so it’s how we can move away from that,” said the TD.
A second party TD predicted that Fianna Fáil in particular could raise concerns around this issue, while differences on tax cuts and personal taxation were foreseen with Fine Gael. Housing policy is another potential hurdle, they noted.
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