Olivia Kelleher
Tánaiste Micheál Martin has said that there will not be any formal pacts between parties in the forthcoming general election campaign.
Speaking in Cork, Mr Martin said each party will “campaign individually” with their “individual priorities and identity.”
"There won’t be any formal pacts but, nonetheless, we saw in the local elections evidence of the voters deciding to transfer, I think in accordance with the preferences and priorities around the economic model we have in this country, the pro-enterprise model that we have, and the need to protect and advance that."
"I thought it was interesting that there was strong alignment across a white spectrum of what we might term centre ground parties."
Mr Martin spoke of his respect for voters.
“I never try and instruct the voter what to do. That’s a big mistake. We are in a much different environment than we would’ve been twenty years ago in electoral politics and the primacy of the voter must always be respected and the voter will take his or her choice in respect of our multi-seat PR system which means people have the facility to transfer down along the ballot paper."
He said the difference between a December election and one in February "was very minor."
"I have been saying that consistently for a while. But, as I said in response to questions earlier, if we got the substantial work done, I would not be opposing an election in that timeframe [autumn 2024].
"The Gambling Bill has now been passed. The Planning Bill has been passed. I have checked out the Mental Health Bill – it will be challenging to get that through. We also have to get the Finance Bill through.
"I have said consistently – and I have said it to the party leaders – we need to work back from the Finance Bill really in terms of getting that through the Oireachtas properly. Not rushing it, but getting it done competently and properly."
"That is the substantive agenda completed to all intents and purposes."
"It could be [December] - I think people are getting a bit tired of this. It could be the end of November or it could be the beginning of December. It is no big deal, but that is where it could end up."
He insisted that more clarification was need in relation to the "entire saga" of Sinn Féin.
"I think we need more clarification from Sinn Féin in respect of that entire saga.
"Not just in terms of the Brian Stanley affair but in terms of [former senator] Niall O'Donnghaile and to what degree was the Oireachtas blindsided."
"And to what degree was there an attempted cover-up in preventing the Oireachtas from knowing fully as to the reasons why he resigned? I think that is the matter the parties will deliberate on between now and the end of the week."
"There are procedures there – we acknowledge that. But there are serious questions to be answered. The Dáil record needs to be corrected, but I think we also need greater clarity as to why Sinn Féin opted not to fully inform the Oireachtas as to the reasons behind his resignation."
He added that he didn’t know anything about suggestions that Gerry "The Monk" Hutch will run for the Dáil.
"I know nothing about that. I am intrigued as to the potential commitment to that, so I don't really have a view on that. I doubt if it will materialise."
