Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will begin intensive discussions with the Regional Independents alliance and the Healy-Rae brothers on Saturday morning with the aim of establishing a government made up of four distinct groups.
The eight-member group of Independent TDs, led by Tipperary deputy Michael Lowry, has shared its negotiating document – which runs to more than 30 pages – with the two outgoing Government parties. It has also held a series of short meetings with Taoiseach Simon Harris, Tánaiste Micheál Martin and a meeting with the negotiating teams from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
Separately, the two Independent Kerry TDs, along with representatives from their family political group, held meetings with Mr Harris and Mr Martin and will also be engaged in discussions this weekend.
The talks this weekend will be on forming a government composed of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, the regional group and the two Healy-Rae brothers.
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A source familiar with the process said all parties are committed to a deadline of having a government formed by January 22nd, the day the Dáil returns after the Christmas break. The deadline will be very tight, said the source, but all believe it is possible.
[ Fintan O'Toole: National indignity that new government will rely on Michael LowryOpens in new window ]
The negotiating teams from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael – led respectively by Jack Chambers and Helen McEntee – held a full plenary on Friday when all those involved in the talks took stock of progress made so far. Both parties believed they could be in a position to finalise a joint document early next week, according to the source.
Mr Lowry will lead the three-person negotiating team of the regional group and will be accompanied by Galway East TD Seán Canney and Sligo-Leitrim TD Marian Harkin.
It is understood that the regional group’s negotiation paper focused largely on national issues, with housing its priority subject.
The document contains a number of regional and constituency ‘asks’ reflecting the constituency issues of its members.
Negotiations with the Healy-Rae brothers have focused on matters in their Kerry constituency. “They are serious about becoming a part of the coalition,” confirmed the source.
In brief comments yesterday, Mr Harris said the aim of the negotiations was to form a government that would be stable and would be in a position to negotiate five budgets between now and the end of 2029.
Separately, the Government has been urged to clarify if one member of the Regional Independent group, Noel Grealish, still has concerns over whether remittances sent from Ireland to Nigeria could be the proceeds of crime or fraud.
Mr Grealish, who has signalled his interest in a ministry, was accused of “disgraceful racism” in the Dáil in 2019 by Solidarity TD Ruth Coppinger after he raised the level of remittances being sent from Ireland to Nigeria.
Social Democrats TD Gary Gannon said Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe, who is involved in the talks, should clarify the issue with Mr Grealish as Mr Donohoe had written to the Galway West TD in 2019 after his comments in the Dáil.
“[Mr Donohoe] has to clarify for himself to maintain the integrity of negotiations from Noel Grealish whether these are comments he still stands over,” said Mr Gannon.
Mr Grealish did not respond to a request for comment.
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