The Labour parliamentary party will meet in Leinster House to decide its approach to any further talks on government formation.
Earlier this week, party leader Ivana Bacik held discussions with both the leaders of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.
She will update her party on the outcome of those talks.
Speaking to reporters at Leinster House, Ms Bacik said she is seeking a meeting with Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin and Fine Gael leader Simon Harris early next week to give them a chance to provide “a substantive response” to Labour’s policy priorities.
Ms Bacik said that due to the “reasons outlined” it is “unlikely” Labour will ultimately enter government, she wants the larger parties “a chance to let us know if there’s any basis for commencing negotiations”.
She separately said she has launched an investigation into how a note from an internal Labour meeting was leaked to the Irish Independent earlier this week, suggesting the party is only speaking to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael out of courtesy.
Ms Bacik said the note “was not accurate” as it did not take account of the full context of the meeting, and that she was seeking an internal investigation and potential disciplinary action.
Asked what that action would involve, Ms Bacik said “clearly expulsion from the party”, before clarifying that she meant the disciplinary measures could mean expulsion and that no pre-defined decisions would be made.
Both Mr Martin and Mr Harris have said good progress is being made in discussions between their parties on forming a government with the focus on agreeing a policy agenda for the incoming Dáil.
Mr Harris was asked whether there was any more clarity on how a rotating taoiseach position might work and the duration of the respective terms in office.
“That doesn’t preoccupy much of my time at all,” he said.
“I believe there will be a rotating taoiseach and I think that’s important.
“It’s not important in relation to individuals, it’s important in reflecting the mandates that the parties received during the General Election.”
Mr Martin said it still was not clear to him whether either the Social Democrats or Labour had the appetite to enter government, but he expected clarity on that in the coming days.
“If we take the Independent route, we do need to make sure that the government lasts five years and that is my agenda, to make sure that it goes full term.
“That means the sufficiency of support behind the government that would enable it to go full term, and that’s a factor in that consideration,” Mr Martin said.
Meanwhile, the Sinn Féin parliamentary party held a detailed discussion on government formation talks earlier.
Party leader Mary Lou McDonald reported back on her engagement with other parties.
The meeting heard that the numbers allow for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to form a government with the support of Independents.
Sinn Féin also nominated TD Aengus Ó Snodaigh to be the next Ceann Comhairle of the Dáil.
In a statement, Ms McDonald said Mr Ó Snodaigh has “a sharp intellect” and, if elected as Ceann Comhairle will “carry out the duties fairly in the public interest”.
Mr Ó Snodaigh’s nomination follows confirmation by the Regional Independents this week that they will nominate Independent Wexford TD Verona Murphy as Ceann Comhairle.
The Ceann Comhairle of the outgoing Dáil, Fianna Fáil TD Seán Ó Fearghail, has also expressed an interest in remaining in the role, as have his party colleagues John McGuinness and Michael Moynihan.
The vote on who will be the new Ceann Comhairle will take place when the Dáil returns on Wednesday.
Labor’s Government Formation Dilemma: A Candid Conversation
Political uncertainty continues in Ireland as parties jockey for power following the recent General Election. While Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael seem close to forming a government, Labour’s role remains unclear. Can they bridge the gap and achieve their policy priorities? We sat down with veteran Irish political analyst, Dr.Aoife O’Reilly, to explore the complexities of the situation.
World Today News: Dr. O’Reilly, Labour leader Ivana Bacik has expressed cautious optimism about the possibility of entering government talks with Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. What are the key sticking points for Labour at this stage?
Dr. O’Reilly: It’s a delicate balancing act for Labour. They are both committed to their core policy priorities, particularly on social housing, healthcare, and climate change. Though, they are also acutely aware of the political realities. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael, despite their differences, have a clear majority potential and are hesitant to make concessions that could jeopardize their alliance.
World Today News: Bacik has launched an examination into a leaked internal memo suggesting Labour might only be engaging with the larger parties out of courtesy. How damaging could this be to their credibility?
Dr. O’Reilly: It’s certainly not helpful. It reinforces the perception that Labour is playing a secondary role, playing itself out of a stronger position. Having mentioned that, Bacik’s swift action in addressing the leak and launching a potential disciplinary measure shows she is taking it seriously. This could demonstrate decisiveness and a commitment to transparency.
World Today News: Considering Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s willingness to entertain an Independent-supported government, what are Labour’s chances of securing a place at the negotiating table?
Dr. O’Reilly: The odds are certainly stacked against them. fianna Fáil and Fine Gael seem determined to forge a deal without relying on Labour. However,Labour represents a meaningful voter base that cannot be easily ignored. If Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael fail to secure sufficient Independent support, or if they struggle to reach a compromise on key issues, Labour could become a more appealing option. It’s a high-stakes political game.
World Today News: Looking ahead, how do you see the next few days unfolding in these tense government formation talks?
Dr. O’Reilly: Expect a lot of maneuvering and posturing from all sides. Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are likely to try and solidify their Independent support while continuing to engage with Labour as a contingency.Labour will use this opportunity to push its policy agenda and highlight its value as a potential coalition partner. Buckle up, Irish politics always delivers surprises.
