Ireland

Talks to form new government taking a back seat during coronavirus, says Leo Varadkar

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association Taoiseach Leo Varadkar. Picture by Brian Lawless, Press Association

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has said formation talks for the next government have taken a backseat while the country deals with Covid-19.

Speaking in Dublin today, he said: "Needless to say our number one focus for those of us in government is not talks about the government, it is making sure we get through this emergency in as good a shape as possible, in terms of protecting human life and human health and so that jobs, economy and our livelihood can jump back as soon as possible."

"The talks between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are ongoing. Both parties are producing a document and we have to go back to our parties and parliamentary parties with that document and that work is going to happen this week."

"I hope that next week, it might be possible to agree a common framework document where we could sketch out how a government would work. It would not be a programme for government, it would be a framework dealing with how a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael government might work."

"When we have that agreed, as we hope to do next week, we would then reach out to a third party because everyone agreed that for a government to last until 2024 or 2025, we will need a third party and independents.

"If we can agree a common framework, we would then reach out to the Green Party, Social Democrats and Labour and see if they are willing to be part of a government to deal with this crisis and also rebuild our country and society when it is over."