Social Democrats Claim Current Negotiations are Simply Postponing the Inevitable



The Social Democrats have ruled out participation in a minority Government led by either Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil.



Social Democrats Co-Leader Catherine Murphy said the party had come to the conclusion that the current exercise of both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael talking to smaller parties and Independents is only postponing the inevitable;



“It is clear there is no possibility of either a majority or a minority Government without some agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and we would actively encourage the two parties to accept that reality. Any discussions regarding policies are meaningless until Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have made a decision about whether or not they can work together in some form of arrangement.”



The Social Democrats welcomed the establishment of all party committee on political reform which is due to meet soon and bring proposals to the Dáil in the coming weeks. This offers the potential for a high level of cooperation among all members of the Dáil and we would propose a similar collaborative approach to tackling the big challenges facing the country in the areas of housing, health and child poverty for example. The Social Democrats believe this collaborative approach can facilitate more constructive engagement by all sides in the 32nd Dáil.



15th March 2016



ENDS



For further information please contact:

Anne-Marie McNally

01-618 3591 / 086-3754315

annemarie.mcnally@socialdemocrats.ie

@amomcnally



