Politics

Fine Gael Ministers reject idea of Sinn Féin coalition

Comments undermine Taoiseach, who earlier refused to rule out future partnership

Fine Gael Ministers Paschal Donohoe, Leo Varadkar, Simon Coveney and Frances Fitzgerald. Three out of four distanced themselves from the Taoiseach’s remarks. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
Fine Gael Ministers Paschal Donohoe, Leo Varadkar, Simon Coveney and Frances Fitzgerald. Three out of four distanced themselves from the Taoiseach’s remarks. Photograph: Aidan Crawley
Fiach Kelly
Sat Jan 28 2017 - 01:00

A string of Fine Gael Ministers, including those most often tipped as possible successors to Taoiseach Enda Kenny, have effectively ruled out a future coalition government with Sinn Féin.

Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Social Protection Leo Varadkar, Minister for Housing Simon Coveney and Minister for Health Simon Harris all distanced themselves from the idea of sharing power with Sinn Féin after Mr Kenny declined to rule it out earlier this week.

Significantly, a number of first time TDs said the views of these Ministers are more relevant than Mr Kenny’s since the Taoiseach has said he will not be leading Fine Gael into another election.

Dublin North West's Noel Rock said "the views of the next leader of Fine Gael, whomever he or she might be, are far more relevant" while Dublin Bay South's Kate O'Connell said "any future coalitions won't be his [Mr Kenny's] call".

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‘Incompatible’

Mr Varadkar hardened his position and said he was “against coalition with Sinn Féin”, describing their policies as “incompatible” with Fine Gael’s.

Mr Coveney also said the two parties were incompatible. “As I’ve said before, I don’t think the two parties are compatible partners that could work together in government. There are too many fundamental differences.”

Ms Fitzgerald said that, while she would not speculate on future government formation, she believed: “There is a very significant gap between Fine Gael and Sinn Féin in terms of policy and ethos, and I find it difficult to see how that gap could be bridged.”

Mr Harris said he was "not in favour of coalition with Sinn Féin". Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe declined to comment.

While the controversy is unlikely to pose an immediate danger to Mr Kenny’s leadership, it has damaged the Taoiseach’s standing among some Ministers.

One said it was an incident that, when taken with others, could bring his leadership into question. “It is an ‘event’. There needs to be a few: bad polls, foolish fawning over Trump, a growing sense that Brexit ‘activity’ is not a strategy.”