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»»Fg and FF to hold talks over new government »»parties in bid to keep sf from taking control
Newly-elected Aodhan O Riordan has said his leadership of the Labour Party would place workers’ rights at the centre of his agenda, giving employees the right to join a trade union.
Launching his campaign in the capital yesterday, the Dublin Bay North TD vowed to rebuild on the basis of traditional Labour values.
But he said there was a need to focus on what the party can deliver in the future and to return to being the campaigning heart of Irish politics.
Mr O Riordan added: “We have to grow and develop if we’re to win back trust and confidence.
“As part of that progressive economic change, I will legislate to enshrine in law the right for all workers to be represented by a union for the purposes of collective bargaining.”
His rival in the race Alan
Kelly also promised to restore the pay of Section
39 staff protesting yesterday over the issue.
He said: “The Labour
Party is fully behind Section 39 workers and their unions
Siptu and Forsa in their decision to take strike action.”
THE country could soon be ruled by a Fianna Fail–fine Gael coalition, finally ending the era of Civil War politics after nearly a century.
But it has emerged many backbenchers have grave reservations about such a move as it might not go down well with the electorate who voted for change.
The leaders of both parties will get together next week after TDS failed to elect a Taoiseach on Thursday, the first day of the new Dail.
If the talks are successful it could result in some form of coalition with Fianna Fail as the lead party as they have marginally more seats.
It is also possible another confidence and supply deal could be thrashed out with Fine Gael propping up Fianna Fail as Micheal Martin’s party did during the last session.
Both are desperate to stop Sinn Fein taking power and might form a coalition to keep them out.
Speaking in Brussels yesterday, Leo Varadkar said Fine Gael would be willing to discuss forming a new Government out of respect for the 450,000 voters who backed them.
He added: “We are willing to talk to other parties about participating in Government if the opposition fails to put together a Government [but] that’s not something we’re planning to do or looking for.
“It could really only ever happen on the basis that there is full respect for the fact we did win 450,000 votes in this election. “We have 35 seats. We didn’t win this election but we have almost as many seats and votes as Fianna Fail and not that many fewer than Sinn Fein.
“But I don’t see any evidence yet that that’s not recognised by any other party.”
Mr Varadkar tendered his resignation to President Michael D Higgins on Thursday night but he will remain in place as caretaker Taoiseach until a new one is elected. Yesterday he refused to speculate on what form a new Government might take.
He said: “At that meeting [with Fianna Fail] we’ll discuss ways forward and I will then report to the Fine Gael parliamentary party, probably Wednesday or Thursday