As talks between the two main political parties on the possibility of forming a minority government entered a third day yesterday (Wednesday ), Independent TD Denis Naughten has said all elected representatives need to work together in order to try and overcome the current “political stalemate”.
Speaking in the Dáil, Deputy Naughten said: “There needs to be an acknowledgement by all constructive TDs in Leinster House that the election gave no political party a mandate to govern but instead the electorate decided that we all need to work together. My four colleagues, Michael Collins, Noel Grealish, Michael Harty, Mattie McGrath, and I have accepted that responsibility.
“Over the last two weeks we have presented the two main parties, Independents, and smaller parties with a number of working papers to try and overcome the current political stalemate.
“I have to say that I am hugely disappointed that some members of Dáil Éireann have turned their backs on the responsibility and mandate given to them by the people who elected them.
“I cannot understand how any TD can go to the electorate and seek their support to implement a set of constructive proposals that can have a direct impact on the lives of the people who they represent and then, when they are provided with the opportunity to have these proposals or principles included in a Government work programme, that these issues are not worth considering.”
Deputy Naughten said a five-year government is needed, rather than one that is going to last five weeks or five months.
“Over the last two weeks and during the 70 hours of talks, we have continuously reiterated that the two big parties must sit down with each other to facilitate the development of a political partnership agreement. We welcome the fact that due to our intervention the parties have now acceded to our request.
“This is very much a last chance – it is time to stand up and do the job they were elected to do. Put the people and the country before party politics.
“People want and need a stable government and the onus is on the two main parties to ensure that the people of this country have the stability they deserve in order that the very real crises which exist at present can be dealt with.”
