Dems the terms!

The Social Democrats will “drive a very hard bargain” if the party is to enter government, a Cork TD has said.

As speculation grows around who will Join Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael to make up Ireland’s next government, newly elected Cork TD Liam Quaide said there is “no question” regarding his party’s intention to be in government.

“However, the 11 Social Democrats TDs were elected very much on a mandate of change across key areas,” Deputy Quaide told the Cork Independent.

Issues including affordable housing, disability services, healthcare accessibility and climate targets, are some of the key areas upon which the party would set its terms, the Cork East TD said.

Another key goal for the Social Democrats, who won their highest number of seats in this election, would be to establish a public childcare system to make childcare more affordable and accessible.

“Our stance is that we are very open to going into government, but we would drive a very hard bargain on those issues and other important policies,” said Mr Quaide.

Counting in the 2024 General Election finished on Monday night with Fianna Fáil sitting on top with 48 seats. This, combined with Fine Gael’s 38 seats gives a total of 86 seats, just two short of a majority. Internal and inter-party meetings got underway on Tuesday to discuss the next steps in the formation of a new government.

It has been reported the Labour Party, who also won 11 seats, could be another favourable coalition option for Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Their TDs have said they will only enter government along with the Social Democrats. Independent Ireland, who won four seats, are a possibilty too.

Deputy Quaide said he was unaware if Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael had been in direct contact with his party.

This talk would be to discuss a coalition agreement.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil party leader, Micheál Martin said there is a need to move quickly to form the next government, citing “pressing issues internationally” as a driving factor.

“There is a need to move in a timely manner in terms of the discussions around the formation of a government,” said Mr Martin.

“I do believe the people will want we in Dáil Eireann to move in a reasonable timeframe. After all, they have voted,” he added.

Deputy Quaide said the timeline for the government’s formation will come down to how the negotiations go. “I mean, there's a lot of talk in the media that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are going to do a fairly quick deal with a few like-minded independents.

“Obviously if that happens, the process could move quite quickly, but if there was meaningful engagement with the Social Democrats or Labour, I would imagine that it would go into the new year,” Deputy Quiade concluded.