Shane Ross: Micheál Martin showed ‘more energy’ in meeting

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin has shown "more energy" than Taoiseach Enda Kenny as talks between political parties continue, leading Independent Alliance member Shane Ross has said.

Mr Ross defended his description of Mr Kenny as a possible "political corpse" and said Mr Martin had put forward "radical proposals" when the Independent Alliance met Fianna Fáil on Monday.

“I think that his presentation shows a great deal more energy because he’s hungry and he wishes to put forward some very radical proposals, and we didn’t see those in fact from the Taoiseach last week,” Mr Ross said.

Mr Ross said the alliance had agreed to talk to Mr Martin again.

The Independent Alliance comprises six TDs: Finian McGrath, John Halligan, Michael Fitzmaurice, newly-elected Longford/Westmeath deputy Kevin "Boxer" Moran, new Galway East TD Seán Canney and Mr Ross.

The group met Fine Gael last Friday.

Writing about the meeting in his column in the Sunday Independent, Mr Ross said: “Sometime in the middle of the exchanges an awful truth dawned. We were possibly in dialogue with a political corpse”.

Speaking to reporters after meeting Fianna Fáil on Monday, Mr Ross said the reality was Mr Kenny was under a lot of “internal” pressure and “it was quite correct to consider that in our calculations”.

He said he had not given away any details of the negotiations. “It’s very important we’re dealing with someone who has authority”.

Pressed about the wisdom of using the phrase “political corpse” in relation to Mr Kenny, Mr Ross said: “I said that we were possibly dealing with a political corpse. That is patently true to anybody who is a spectator on the political scene.”

With the vote for Taoiseach taking place on Thursday, Mr Ross said the Independent Alliance would come to a conclusion about what to do later in the week, probably on Thursday morning.

Mr Fitzmaurice said Fine Gael TDs were not happy with the election result or the present situation. “Obviously there must be or may be changes coming,” Mr Fitzmaurice said.

Mr McGrath said the Independent Alliance wanted to deal with someone who had strong authority when they were in negotiations, “and that is the bottom line”.

Asked if he would use the phrase “political corpse”, he said he would share the views of Mr Ross. Mr Canney called for a move away from the political focus on personalities.

“We’re not dealing with one person when we’re dealing with Micheál Martin, he’s just the figurehead at the moment, as is Enda Kenny.”

Mr Halligan was the only Independent Alliance TD who was unable to attend the meeting. He said this was because of constituency commitments and stressed there was no other reason, adding that he had been briefed by colleagues on their talks with Mr Martin.

Referring to the meeting with Mr Kenny on Friday, Mr Halligan said: “I did feel that there wasn’t that enthusiasm from Enda Kenny that I expected to see. I just don’t think he was able to lift himself.

“I think he felt he wouldn’t be Taoiseach on Thursday and then doubtful that he’d be leader of Fine Gael after that. I’ve sympathy for him as a human being. He is Taoiseach of the country and we should treat him with respect.”