Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael can't have it both ways – 'Sinn Féin will talk to those who will talk to us,' says TD

OUR AMBITION could not be any clearer – Sinn Féin wants to be in Government.

We stood over 50 candidates in the Dáil general ele ction and stood on the Right2Change platform with 50 more in a bid to form a progressive Government. We won 23 seats with 34 Right2Change TDs elected in total. This represents a significant advance but falls short of the numbers required to form a Government.

Following the election we made it clear we would not serve as a junior party in a government led by Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael.

We will not prop up the party who caused the economic crash or the party who created the crisis in housing and health.

Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are cut from the same cloth. They are both conservative parties wedded to the status quo. It makes sense that parties of a like mind coalesce.

In a desperate attempt to swim against the tide of history, however, Fianna Fáil refused an historic offer from Fine Gael to form a full and equal partnership Government. They did so for party political reasons and that, of course, is their right. They want to have one foot in Opposition to temper the growth of Sinn Féin while having an influence in Government policy by working with Fine Gael.

Both Mícheál Martin and Enda Kenny continue to peddle a line that Sinn Féin is not interested in Government. They accuse us of sitting on the fence while simultaneously ruling us out.

Both leaders have steadfastly refused to talk to Sinn Féin.

On 27 February, speaking to Today FM, Fianna Fáil leader Mícheál Martin again “absolutely” ruled out a coalition with Sinn Féin. This was a mantra he has repeated since. On Friday 4 March, The Irish Times reported:

“Mr Kenny is said to have outlined the timeline and process that will be involved in forming a government but ruled out dealing with Sinn Féin.”

They cannot have it both ways.

For our part, Sinn Féin will continue to talk to those who will talk to us.

Sinn Féin is serious about dealing with the crisis in health and housing. We want to tackle child poverty and rising income inequality. We want to see water charges and Irish Water abolished.

We will form part of a progressive bloc inside and outside of Leinster House as we hold all parties involved in whatever Government is formed to account.

We have a lot of work to do and we are up for the challenge.