'It's either a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael government or a new election'

A NEW ELECTION is inevitable if Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael do not go into coalition with each other, Sinn Féin's Peadar Tóibín told RTÉ Radio today.

Explaining why Sinn Féin would not prop-up a Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael government, Sinn Féin's Meath West TD said his party contested the General Election on a platform that explicitly stated they would not do so:

“There is an ideological chasm between ourselves and Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. We can't go into government with them because our policies are so different. Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael won't go into Government with each other because it strategically doesn't suit them.”

He hit out at claims by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael who have accused Sinn Féin of not wanting to be in Government, pointing out that both parties have already ruled out coalition with Sinn Féin:

“I have to laugh at the pair of them saying we are detaching ourselves from Government,” Tóibín said.

“Two weeks ago they both said we 'weren't worthy of Government'. What is the difference between these two parties? An anomaly of history. Something that happened 80 years ago is the only thing that separates these parties.”

He said his party would “grab government with both hands” but unfortunately this time the numbers are not there to do so:

“There's a strategic reluctance for Fianna Fáil to go into coalition because they know if they go you will have for the first time an option of an alternative government not involving either party down the line. So, they are trying to control government and opposition at the same time.”

He accused the two large right-wing parties of engaging in a “merry dance”:

“There is a crisis in housing and health, so Irish people will not tolerate this merry dance to go on for two or three months,” he said.

Asked what he believed would happen in coming weeks as there are attempts to form a government, he told listeners:

“There will either be a Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael Government or a new election.”

This was a view also shared by newly-elected Independent TD Katherine Zappone.

Tóibín said the situation in the South is not comparable to that which prevails in the North, where Sinn Féin shares power with the DUP. 

He noted that the Northern administration is an outworking of a conflict resolution process involving power-sharing for both communities.

Peadar Tóibín also said that his party will support any progressive legislation brought forward by Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael which mirrors his own party's policies.