FF, FG propose new ‘all island’ unit

Two of Dublin’s largest political parties are proposing a dedicated ‘united island’ unit as part of a framework document to form a new government.
PACEMAKER BELFAST 27/01/2020
 Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar.
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker PressPACEMAKER BELFAST 27/01/2020
 Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar.
Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press
PACEMAKER BELFAST 27/01/2020 Fine Gael leader Leo Varadkar. Photo Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael published the document yesterday, after it was agreed by each party’s leadership on Tuesday.

The two parties are proposing 10 key “pillars” to improve Irish society — including a ‘shared island’ proposal to work towards a “consensus on a united island” — as they bid to form a government.

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Following the Irish general election earlier this year, no single party emerged with enough seats to form a government.

Fianna Fail won 38 seats while Sinn Fein and Fine Gael won 37 and 35 respectively.

Before the election, both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil had ruled out forging a coalition Sinn Féin due to its tax policies and IRA past.

Even combined, the two parties will require the support of others for a parliamentary majority and are now seeking approval with smaller parties for the new policy framework.

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Under its ‘shared island’ policy, the proposed coalition government two parties would set up a new government unit to work towards a “united island”.

Other key “pillars” include universal healthcare, housing for all, and a new green deal.

The two parliamentary parties were briefed on the policy document on Wednesday ahead of engagement with other potential coalition partners.

Sinn Fein TD Louise O’Reilly has said the Fianna Fail-Fine Gael framework document “is a construct designed to keep Sinn Fein out of government.”

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