tackle Covid-19. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times” src=”https://www.irishtimes.com/polopoly_fs/1.4213878.1585316787!/image/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/box_620_330/image.jpg” alt=”Tánaiste Simon Coveney has warned of the need for a new government to tackle Covid-19. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times” width=”620″ height=”330″ />
Tánaiste Simon Coveney has warned of the need for a new government to tackle Covid-19. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw/The Irish Times
Tánaiste Simon Coveney has warned of the need for a new government to tackle Covid-19 and that Irish society needs to brace itself for a lot worse to come.
“This is not nearly over,” he said as he called for a new government that is “strong and stable. One that is realistic, ambitious and diverse.
He said part of his priority “now must be finding a way to work with others to design a basis for a government that can command a lasting majority in the Oireachtas”.
“It is possible to get it done and it’s possible to get it done quickly.”
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar: In the midst of the coronavirus crisis, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil accept they need to agree a programme for government. Photograph: Nick Bradshaw
Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have reported a breakthrough in talks on a new government, with both sides expecting negotiations on a new administration to accelerate in the coming weeks.
In an agreed statement issued by both parties on Wedesday night, they said they had a “productive meeting” that afternoon and agreed the “need to form a strong, stable government that will help Ireland recover post Covid-19”.
“They are working to develop a programme for government that provides stability and majority support in the Dáil,” the statement said.
This is the first mention of a programme for government – the key agreed document that would underpin any new administration – after weeks of talks and was regarded by both sides as a breakthrough, sources said on Wednesday night.
Sirs,
The English Parliamentary Party congratulates Sinn Fein in moving, as Fianna Fail and Fine Gael before it, from armed struggle to parliamentary democracy.
Irish voters recognised this political transformation on 8 February 2020. We must accept their political judgment in these critical circumstances unforeseen by us all.Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael must now come together in the national interest to form a government of National Unity.The people of Ireland will find the English Parliamentary Party a trusted friend.Kind regards,Gerald Morgan, FTCD (Leader: English Parliamentary Party, 2001)
Dr Gerald Morgan, FTCD (1993)
Lydbrook School (1946-1953),Monmouth School (1953-1961),Meyricke Exhibitioner, Jesus College, Oxford (1961-1964),