FG/FF leaders need 'reality' check- Kenny SF

Sligo-Leitrim-West Cavan-South Donegal TD Martin Kenny has said that Acting Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin both need to come to terms with the new political reality, that neither can govern without the consent or collaboration of the other.

The newly-elected Sinn Féin representative delivered his scalding criticism of the country’s two major parties as an impasse persisted over which party could or should take a lead role going forward in the running of the country.

“Micheál Martin’s refusal to talk to Enda Kenny before this week’s nominations for Taoiseach shows that they are not serious about sorting this issue and are still jockeying for position. Does Micheál Martin realistically believe that he can be elected Taoiseach this week?
“Similarly, Leo Varadkar’s tweet last night shows that they are just going through the motions and not dealing with this situation with any urgency or seriousness. They have an eye on the next election rather than the formation of a government that will deal with the issues facing the people,” said Deputy Kenny.
There has been a seismic shift in Irish politics following the last last election, not least because if the two parties form a grand coalition, Sinn Féin would be positioned as the main party in opposition.
But Deputy Kenny said: “While they take their time the current crises in our health and housing sectors continues with no political accountability in place.”

The Dáil resumes tomorrow (Wednesday) where nominations for Taoiseach will again be put forward and voted on with no government expected to be in place by the end of business tomorrow.