THE Green Party are refusing to engage with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael on the formation of a new coalition, saying the country needs a national government to cope with the coronavirus crisis.

The Green’s 12 TDs met this afternoon to discuss the decision by Micheál Martin and Leo Varadkar to engage in formal negotiations on a government.

The move by the two leaders was seen as a significant breakthrough – but hopes of a swift end to the political stalemate brought about by February’s election result have been rocked by the outcome of the Green Party meeting.

A spokesperson said the party wants “all parties to suspend discussions on forming a majority government and work towards forming a crisis national government to be reviewed in three months”.

Senior figures in both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have ruled out such a move, arguing that it would not allow for a coherent response to the developing crisis.

Mr Martin has said he wants to form a majority government capable of lasting five years. The Green Party were central to his plans.

This comes as talks between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael could begin as early as tomorrow following a meeting between Simon Coveney and Dara Calleary.

It comes as the coronavirus emergency has pushed the two Civil War parties into government formation talks.

The parties' deputy leaders, the Tánaiste Mr Coveney and Mayo TD Mr Calleary held discussions today during a meeting that was described afterwards by the Fianna Fáil side as a "constructive".

A member of that party's negotiating team, Michael McGrath, this afternoon said the meeting "involved looking at the structure and scope of the more detailed talks that lie ahead.

"The details of those further talks will be finalised shortly".

Earlier, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe said the two parties expect to meet before Sunday.

He said: "We expect to be meeting them in the coming days and they will form the early part of talks we’ll be having regarding whether it will be possible to form a new government.

The Fine Gael minister added: "At the best of times this would be a very demanding political exercise for all of the reasons that you can be aware of but we are truly in extraordinary times that will influence the discussions that we will have with political colleagues all over the spectrum of political life."

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin agreed to enter "in depth, detailed talks".

In a statements announcing the talks both parties said the two leaders are "acutely aware of the enormous challenges facing the country, particularly with the onset of Covid-19."

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil would still need the Green Party or others to get on board so that they would have a Dáil majority.

The Greens have been seeking 7pc-a-year cuts to carbon emissions, far higher than the 2pc currently in the Climate Action Plan.

Mr Donohoe insisted that Eamon Ryan's party's support is not being taken for granted.

He said: "We’ve had preliminary discussion with our colleagues in the Green Party in the process that was initiated by them.

"I’m under no doubt regarding how serious their policy needs are and seriously they hold them."

Online Editors