Enda Kenny ramps up pressure on FF during US visit

Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny has put pressure on Fianna Fail to engage in talks on forming a coalition government by demanding the party face up to its "responsibilities" following the election.

Speaking after meetings in Washington DC to mark St Patrick’s Day, the Taoiseach said he was committed to the formation of a stable Government which would last and serve the interests of the people.

Mr Kenny said he wanted to work with like-minded individuals, indicating this could include the Fianna Fail party.

"Fianna Fáil as one party has responsibilities, as do each of their deputies have to work in the regard," he said. "But I make the point as the largest party, with the largest vote in the Dáil we (Fine Gael) have got a mandate and responsibility to work towards putting that government together."

Mr Kenny said his responsibility as Taoiseach was to form a “lasting and stable government”.

Asked if that government would include Fianna Fail, Mr Kenny said: “The Fianna Fail party has a responsibility as well as every single elected member of the Dáil in putting that together.”

Mr Kenny insisted he had not spoken directly to Micheál Martin or the Fianna Fail party. However, he said he had issued an invitation to all parties through the Dáil to begin discussions on formation of a government.

In response to Mr Kenny’s comments, a Fianna Fáil spokesman said the party “has and always will act responsibly”. He declined to elaborate further.

The Taoiseach also criticised “anti-austerity and populist” politicians for running away from responsibility and refusing to accept their role in governing.

Mr Kenny also joked he wished he didn’t have to return to Ireland after his visit to the States.

Could not argue

He told a reception hosted by the Irish Ambassador to the US, Anne Anderson, that he had accepted the decision of the electorate and could not argue with it.

Mr Kenny joked: “Bejaysus, I wish I didn’t have to go back to Ireland to face what I have to face.”

The Taoiseach said there were many challenging times ahead but he was confident he could achieve a stable government. He had earlier engaged in a shamrock ceremony in the Oval Office.

During his address, the Taoiseach urged Mr Obama to make a return visit to Ireland.

He said: “I want to begin by sincerely thanking the President [and Mrs Obama] yet again for their splendid hospitality. This celebration of the great friendship between Ireland and the US has become a wonderful tradition.

“Mr President, I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to your outstanding leadership over the past seven years, and to thank you for all you have done for Irish-US relations during that time.

“You came into office at a most challenging time in terms of the global economic situation and I believe that your steadfast and courageous leadership played a huge role in ensuring that the global recession did not become a depression.

“It would of course be wonderful to welcome you, Michelle, Malia and Sasha back to Ireland some time - and you know there will always be a warm welcome for you.”

Mr Kenny also presented the President with two compact mirrors for his daughters.

At the St Patrick’s Day lunch at the Capitol, Mr Obama urged an end to political division, citing the Northern Ireland peace process as an example of successful conflict resolution.

Mr Obama also denounced the “vicious” atmosphere of the US presidential election campaign.

His comments were aimed at Republican frontrunner Donald Trump, whose personal insults and vitriolic rhetoric has dominated the race to the White House.

America’s brand

In remarks to an audience that included Northern Ireland First Minister Arlene Foster and Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Mr Obama warned about the tarnishing of America's brand and the damage that could be caused by such animosity.

Speaking directly to the Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, the US president noted their common Irish ancestry. He said while they may "fiercely disagree on policy", he would never say anything to insult the Republican personally.

“I don’t have a bad word to say about you as a man and I would never insult my fellow Irish like that,” he said. “The point is we can have political debates without turning on one another. We can disagree without assuming that it’s motivated by malice.

“There are those here who have fought long and hard to create peace in Northern Ireland and understand what happens when you start going into these dark places, the damage that can be done and how long it can take to unwind.”

Mr Obama said he rejected any effort to spread fear or encourage violence and could not support anybody who practices that kind of politics.

“Any leader worthy of our support will remind us that even in a country as big and diverse and as inclusive as ours, what we have in common is far bigger and more important than any of our differences,” he said.

“That’s what carried us through other times that were far more tough and far more dangerous than the one that we’re in today -– times where we were told to fear the future; times where we were told to turn inward and to turn against each other.”