FF motion not to go into Government with Sinn Féin is a face saving exercise – Heydon

Fianna Fáil’s motion that they will not enter coalition with Sinn Féin is a face saving exercise, Fine Gael TD Martin Heydon has said.

Deputy Heydon was speaking after Fianna Fáil’s Ard Fheis passed a motion saying Michael Martin’s party would not enter a coalition Government with Gerry Adams’ party.

The Fine Gael Parliamentary Party Chairman said: “We all know what will happen when it comes to the crunch; Fianna Fáil would do a deal with Sinn Féin and the devil himself if it meant getting back into power.

“Look at what their public representatives have been saying. Front bench and back benchers have refused to row in behind Micheal Martin on the issue in recent weeks. He is constantly having to slap them down, and he hasn’t been making a great success of it either.

“This issue has clearly spooked Michael Martin, which is why Fianna Fáil are using this Ard Fheis motion to appear as if he is putting the issue to bed,” the Kildare TD said.

“This motion is not worth the paper it is written on. In the future, should they be afforded the opportunity to clutch at power with Sinn Féin, Fianna Fáil’s representatives will have no issue with returning to the same forum and putting it to their membership that a deal with Sinn Féin is the only way forward.

“This motion over the weekend is a face saving exercise that will be disregarded when the first opportunity arises.

“In recent weeks, Fianna Fáil have attempted to entice a former Sinn Féin councillor to join their ranks but failed. The lines between the two movements are beginning to blur and everyone is well aware of it.

“It is clear that plenty of Fianna Fáil’s public representatives have absolutely no qualms about doing a deal with Sinn Féin despite counter motions and Micheal Martin’s denials.

“Anyone concerned about a future Fianna Fáil -Sinn Féin coalition is best to avoid both parties as they are clearly interested in working alongside each other.

“Sinn Féin in Government would be a disaster for this country and plenty of Fianna Fáil representatives have made it clear that they are more than happily facilitate it.

“Fine Gael has always been clear on this. We will not do business with Sinn Féin. The two parties are at opposite ends of the political spectrum. Sinn Féin are a secretive, isolationist party who do not represent modern Ireland,” Deputy Heydon said.

ENDS