Martin vows to prove wrong the naysayers in new Irish government
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Micheal Martin has vowed to prove the naysayers wrong and show that Ireland’s next ruling coalition can deliver on its “ambitious” programme for government. The Fianna Fail leader, who is poised to become taoiseach for the second time on Wednesday, bemoaned what he described as “negativity” around the new government before it has even been formally appointed.
Ireland’s deputy premier was commenting ahead of a vote by his party’s membership to ratify the draft programme for government he has agreed with Fine Gael and several independent TDs. Mr Martin was given a standing ovation as he was introduced to the ard fheis conference in Dublin ahead of the party faithful’s internal debate on the proposed governance plan.
The event is taking place just days before the Tanaiste is due to become taoiseach again on Wednesday. Fianna Fail and Fine Gael, which led the last government in Dublin, are set to continue their coalition partnership, this time with the support of a number of independent TDs.
The new administration will be formally appointed in the Dail on Wednesday if, as expected, the Fianna Fail and Fine Gael memberships ratify the programme for government. After weeks of negotiations following November’s general election, the two parties put together a workable Dail majority with the backing of the Regional Independents grouping of TDs and two independent TDs from Co Kerry, brothers Michael and Danny Healy-Rae.
While Fianna Fail has organised a one-off conference to rubber-stamp the programme for government, with the vote result to be announced on Sunday evening, Fine Gael is holding a series of five regional meetings, the last two of which will take place in Meath and Cork on Sunday afternoon.
