The main Opposition parties on the left are expected to ramp up co-ordination in advance of the likely formation of a new government propped up by Independent TDs.
With the Labour Party withdrawing formally from any further discussions on government formation on Thursday, sources in that party, the Social Democrats and Sinn Féin said increased co-operation on the Opposition benches had been discussed during talks between the parties in recent weeks.
While the exact nature of closer collaboration has not been fleshed out, a senior Labour source outlined a need for a “more structured and strategic co-operation” in the next Dáil, opposing what they believe will be a significantly more right-leaning coalition. A senior Sinn Féin figure said without a more coherent alternative on display, voters supporting their parties could become disillusioned and disengage from the political process entirely.
It comes as Independent TDs begin jockeying for ministerial preference in the next government, with Galway West TD Noel Grealish on Thursday confirming that he would be interested in a post if it became available.
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An early opportunity for co-operation is expected to come as the Opposition seeks to pile on pressure to quickly progress the Occupied Territories Bill, which seeks to curtail trade with illegal settlements in Palestine.
Opposition parties are expected to push for it to pass in the opening months of the year, and closely watch the scope of the Bill, with the Government now on edge about pressure over the Bill from US multinationals. There is growing apprehension in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael about the Bill’s prospects, according to senior figures, in the wake of the Israeli decision to close its Dublin embassy.
Senior sources fear an intensive lobbying campaign in the US aimed at damaging the Republic economically if it proceeds with the Bill.
The prospect of streamlined collaboration on the left is by no means assured. Labour leader Ivana Bacik said on Thursday that her party’s priority was forming closer links with the Social Democrats and the Greens, but that significant policy differences remained with Sinn Féin.
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Nonetheless, sources in the three parties said closer co-ordination in Opposition had been a theme in their discussions.
This is expected to take the form of more meetings at leader level and between whips, while party figures also suggested that co-ordination on Private Members’ time and Leaders’ Questions could arise. However, any formal agreement, much less an electoral pact, is not being considered by any party.
Housing, health, climate, childcare, and employment rights were all pinpointed as potential areas for co-operation. However, Labour believes Sinn Féin’s climate and migration policies do not align with its own.
That view is not shared by senior figures in Sinn Féin who are enthusiastic about building links — partially to target the presumed incoming government, but also to counteract the growth of smaller conservative parties and the far right.
While the Social Democrats continued talks with Fine Gael yesterday, it is widely expected in Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael that they will form a coalition with support drawn from the eight-strong Regional Group of Independents.
The Social Democrats expect to stay in government talks over Christmas and to meet again with Fianna Fáil. Its next step is to convene its parliamentary party after Christmas.
However, one senior figure acknowledged the party would face a similar issue to Labour if it wanted to see its policies implemented — insufficient leverage in the presence of a viable alternative and the lower number of TDs the larger parties need to form a majority.
Meanwhile, it is understood that work is ongoing to finalise a document containing policy issues that the Regional Group want to see implemented if government-formation talks are successful. The document includes demands in the areas of housing, health and disability services.
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