Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the past month, we have held good-faith negotiations. We tabled detailed policy papers and clarified them. We set out not just what can be achieved over a full Dáil term but also what can be implemented in the next six to 12 months. In these negotiations, we have taken the approach of not issuing briefings and not seeking to spin media coverage.  We have played them straight. They were constructive and positive discussions which were dominated by substantive policy issues. At the same time, there were discussions between these groups and Fine Gael. I want to thank those who participated in our discussions but clearly they had reached a point where there was a choice to be made. They are entitled to say they want more detail and want an agreement in advance about supporting whatever emerges from negotiations. We are not in any way reflecting on the right of Deputies to make up their own minds but, equally, we have the right to say that we think a stage has been reached where the approaches and policies of the alternatives to leading a Government are there to be seen.

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