Fianna Fáil is committed to forming government, Martin says

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has said his party remains committed to assisting in the formation of a government.

“In terms of what has been going on, as a political party we are very committed to assist and be constructive in terms of the formation of a government,’’ he said.

He said some parties had stood back from the process of government formation for the past 60 days while others just did not engage or involve themselves.

He told the Dáil on Tuesday afternoon the formation of a government was important in terms of resolving the Irish Water issue.

He said this was because executive and legislative action was the most effective way to deal with the issues arising from water charges.

Mr Martin was speaking in the Dáil in response to a demand from Opposition TDs for a debate on Irish Water.

The Anti-Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett said there had been "an interesting choreography'' between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael at the meeting of the party whips to decide Dáil business.

He said the whips had looked “for every excuse under the sun’’ on why there was no time to debate water charges, even though everybody in the country was discussing them.

The charges were being cited as the major stumbling block to a formation of a government, he said.

“And yet, incredibly, this topic of such importance, and its link to government formation . . . we cannot discuss it in this House.”

He said if this was the new politics and the result of Dáil reform it was, “quite frankly, a joke’’.

Denying there was choreography involved, Mr Martin said his party would not be opposed to a debate on Irish Water in the House at another time.

Sinn Féin TD Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said those TDs who had appended their names to the proposal to debate Irish Water should be heard.

“The electorate was given to understand a majority of members were elected to the House who were of the same mind in relation to this issue,’’ he said.

Dublin murders

Independent TD Finian McGrath said the gunning down of people in Dublin was also an issue that should be discussed.

“The Irish people are hopping mad because this Dáil is not functioning,’’ he said.

Independent TD Michael Healy-Rae said a debate on Irish Water should be held if it could help bring Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil together in terms of government formation.

Government Chief Whip Paul Kehoe said the topics on the Dáil schedule for this week had been requested by Opposition TDs.

The Government won the Dáil schedule it proposed by 83 votes to 49.

The Dáil is scheduled to discuss agriculture and the Irish language on Wednesday and refugees on Thursday.