Growing anger among Independents over political impasse

There is growing anger and confusion among the 15 Independent TDs whose support to form a government is being sought by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil about the current political stalemate.

It is not at all clear what approach they will take when the Dáil meets again next Thursday.

Privately some of them are not ruling out voting against Enda Kenny and Micheál Martin for taoiseach unless there is greater clarity about the formation and structure of the next government before then.

There was surprise among them yesterday that substantive talks between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil did not take place after the acting Taoiseach offered the Fianna Fáil leaderinvolvement in a partnership government.

Bewilderment

In some cases the reaction was one of utter bewilderment and a sense of frustration that no real progress is being made in the formation of a government.

“When people ask me what is happening I tell them the Independents are doing their best but we seem to be getting nowhere,’’ said one TD.

Independent TDs also pointed to the huge investment in time and work put into the talks.

“We have worked long hours and I have been away from my constituency quite a lot,’’ said one Independent TD. “I hope, at the end of the day, my constituents and myself will think it was worthwhile.’’

Independent Tipperary TD Mattie McGrath said he felt there was no point in continuing with the talks until it was clear how Fine Gael and Fianna Fail would operate in a situation where there was a minority government.

“What would be the point, for instance, in putting a government in power which could fall in a short time?’’

“The future of the country and its people is what is important.’’

Independent Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice said there would be no point in electing a minority government until there was agreement among those that were supporting it.

Grow up

“I think it is regrettable the two main parties don’t grow up,’’ Mr Fitzmaurice said. “It is a country and an economy we are talking about.’’

Independent Dublin Bay North TD Finian McGrath said that he would vote for whatever party met his demands with costings. He said these demands included a 20-bed cystic fibrosis unit in Dublin's Beaumont Hospital and the appointment of a minister for disability.

“There are 600,000 people with a disability in this country, and they deserve a full-time presence at the Cabinet table,’’ he said.

Clarity

Mr McGrath said he expected clarity on his demands over the next few days.

Another Independent TD said he believed a general election was inevitable.

“I am disgusted with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil,’’ the TD added.

“Petty jealousies and jockeying for position seem to have taken precedence over what is right for the country.’’

Another Independent TD said he had observed a “swagger’’ on the part of Fianna Fáil since the election.

“Some of their TDs seem to think the party is rehabilitated for good, and they have been advised by some of us to watch their step.

“If Fianna Fáil is blamed for an election the party could be destroyed by the anger of voters,’’ he said.