MINISTER Simon Coveney has said he expects a new minority Government to be formed by Thursday of this week.
Minister Simon Coveney. Pic: Diane Cusack
Speaking yesterday, Mr Coveney, right, who could be in line to take up the position of Tánaiste, said that negotiations were heading towards a conclusion in the coming days.
Fine Gael is hopeful it can agree a partnership with independents within the next 48 hours.
“I hope we will have a government on Thursday, that would be my guesstimate. We are meeting formally with the Independent Alliance at 10am and we will work with them intensively to try and move things on,” said Mr Coveney.
There has been more than 70 hours of discussions with Independents and Mr Coveney believes the “process is in the end game. We want to conclude it now so we can get on with governing Ireland and solving people’s problems.”
Fine Gael was meeting with the Independent Alliance this morning (MON) and then with a number of rural TDs.
“We will have all of our key ministers there to answer questions and of course the Taoiseach will be there as well if he has to sign off on any agreements,” added Mr Coveney.
He also appealed smaller parties, such as the Green Party and the Social Democrats, to consider joining a new coalition.
“We want them to be part of theGovernment if they want to be.We will accommodate their concerns and policies as part of that. But it is up to them,” he said.
Following an agreement with Fianna Fáil to allow the formation of a minority government, talks will now take place with independent TDs to iron out remaining details.
The new ministerial appointments are also expected to form part of the new Government discussions with independent groups.
It is expected that newly-elected Independent TD Katherine Zappone will be named as a cabinet minister in the new Government. It is expected a rural independent TD, possible Michael Healy-Rae will also be offered a cabinet position.
There is some speculation that the new Fine Gael minority Government will have to give up to four cabinet positions to Independent TDs.
The six-member Independent Alliance, which includes Shane Ross, are due to hold talks with Fine Gael today, followed later this evening by the five rural TDs including west Cork Independent Micahel Collins.
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