Fine Gael is ramping up the pressure on independents to sign off on a programme for government as Enda Kenny suggested a deal could be struck by today.
The acting taoiseach told the Dail that the talks are progressing “with a sense of urgency” with TDs that have expressed a willingness to enter a minority coalition.
Finian McGrath, one of the founding members of the Independent Alliance said that a vote for taoiseach could take place on Friday in a specially arranged sitting. “I think we’re in the zone now. Once we’re happy with what’s on the table, we can sign up and then if there are any outstanding issues, that can be ironed out at a later date.”
Mr McGrath denied that the coalition would be continually in danger of collapse due to the power independents would have. “If we get a lot of our charter for change included in the programme for government we will be committed to government in order to deliver on those issues.
“This is not about cabinet positions for us, this is about business, it’s about getting policies delivered on and ensuring people who are homeless, people on trolleys, people with mental health issues, are looked after.”
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Yesterday Mr Kenny increased expectation that a deal could be agreed that would put a government in place by the weekend. “I would like to think that this matter could be concluded this week, but obviously I am not in a position to confirm that finally,” he said. “The discussions are very real and they are progressing with a sense of urgency.”
He needs at least six more people to back his government to get to 58 votes and become the first Fine Gael leader to be elected to a consecutive term as taoiseach but he will likely need up to nine extra votes to shore up support. Under a deal agreed this week Fianna Fail will abstain from a taoiseach vote.
The six-strong Independent Alliance, made up of Mr McGrath, Kevin “Boxer” Moran, Sean Canney, Michael Fitzmaurice, Shane Ross and John Halligan, took part in a second day of talks yesterday and broke off for discussions with Fine Gael ministers.
Some issues have been completed to both groups’ satisfaction, including how to deal with those in mortgage distress and funding for a cystic fibrosis unit. Areas in agriculture, health and judicial appointments are yet to be signed off.
A group of six rural TDs, comprising Denis Naughten, Noel Grealish, Michael Healy-Rae, Michael Harty, Michael Collins and Mattie McGrath, have been examining a 122-page document that has already been agreed with the Independent Alliance. This could be merged into one composite programme for government that would include Fine Gael’s policies and those of all independents willing to support a minority coalition.
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Some TDs remained sceptical that an agreement could take place before next week. “My honest opinion is that unless there is a big change, I couldn’t see the opportunity for a vote on Friday. I just can’t see it happening,” Mr Healy-Rae said last night.
The sentiments were echoed by Mr Grealish but Mr Moran struck a more optimistic note, saying: “I feel we could be looking at an election of a taoiseach on Friday.”
If Fine Gael were to sign off on a deal by Friday it will have taken 70 days since the general election to form a government.