Cllrs write to FF TDs over new government

The Fianna Fáil members on Cavan County Council have written to local TDs outlining their opposition to the party going into government with Fine Gael and the Greens.

It is the local elected members' collective view that entering a new coalition government will do “serious if not irreparable damage to the party and should not proceed".

Individual members are also set to write to the party executive directly to outline their position “so that there can be no doubt as to the views” held by local councillors.

The decision was taken after Fianna Fáil members conducted a virtual meeting online earlier this month.

“There is certainly an appreciation of the serious situation and limited options available,” the letter sent said.

It's understood the Cavan councillors are among a group of over 50 Fianna Fáil councillors nationally who have come under under the banner ‘Fairer Future’ against the proposed programme for Government.

Over 1,000 grassroot party members are also said to be opposing the deal.

The Fairer Future website lists the reasons why members should reject this deal, claiming too that a deal would place Sinn Féin as the de-facto party in opposition.

Green view

Meanwhile, the Green Party's Monaghan General Election candidate, Tate Donnelly, has said the negotiated programme for government was “probably the best we could get from Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael” and acknowledged the “great” commitments on climate change. However, he was downbeat in his assessment on economic and housing policy, concluding that he would lean towards voting against it.

Chief amongst Mr Donnelly's numerous “fears” is the point where government will pursue a “deficit reduction” by Budget 2021.

“That is austerity. To think that we're the only country in Europe going down that direction is outrageous and it will put people in poverty,” said the young party member.

Mr Donnelly also claimed there was “no change of tactic” on the housing crisis and views the carbon tax alone, without the dividend that the Greens had sought, will also impoverish citizens.

If the Greens do vote through the deal will Mr Donnelly stay in the party?

“I can't answer that,” he replied. He noted that he would have the chance to speak with the Parliamentary Party on Thursday where he would seek assurances.

“I'm willing to be corrected on things,” he said.