Not Dail Over Yet For Mary To Grab Power

McDonald on plans if FF and FG talks collapse Pension age rise dissent yet to be resolved

- Sylvia Pownall

Sinn Fein leader Mary Lou McDonald says her party is poised to go into Government if formation talks between Fianna Fail and Fine Gael fail.

Asked if a grand FF/FG coalition propped up by the Greens and Independents was a foregone conclusion, the Dublin Central TD replied: “No, far from it.”

In an exclusive interview, she told the Irish Sunday Mirror: “This story isn’t over just yet. We’re still in contact with other parties and individuals.

“We are ready as and when the situation evolves and the opportunity opens up to push... and very much to put ourselves in the frame for Government.

“We’re not tolerating another five years of the housing crisis we had. It will be the same old, same old.”

Talks continue tomorrow but the latest stumbling block appears to be over the scheduled rise in the State pension age to 67.

Fianna Fail want to defer it pending review, but Fine Gael is holding its position that the eligibility age should increase.

The Green Party is also opposed to the rise and favours a review to consider introducing f lexible pension ages.

Party negotiators are also trying to solve differences over the Land Development Agency, which the Greens claim is a vehicle to hand public land to private developers.

The upshot is the country is now 113 days without a Government – 43 more than the 2016 record of 70 days with a caretaker Government in office.

Ms McDonald said: “We need a stable Government. We know the last election was very much about change.