Social Democrats will not go into government without 'change of direction' in key areas

Vivienne Clarke

The deputy leader of the Social Democrats, Cian O’Callaghan has said that his party would be willing to go into government if there is a change in direction on issues such as housing, health care, child care and disability.

“We will be meeting Sinn Féin today,  the Labour Party tomorrow and Fianna Fáil shortly. We've also asked to meet with Fine Gael and with all of these parties we will be outlining key issues for us that we want to see worked on in this new dialogue and indeed in the next government,” he told RTÉ radio’s Morning Ireland.

Mr O’Callaghan said the Social Democrats would be asking for for their position on key areas.

“Because regardless of who's in the next government, we're strongly of the view that there needs to be a change direction in these areas and we want to be constructive and we want to put forward our solutions, our policy proposals in these areas to the other parties.”

“If we can get openness from other parties to make significant changes in approach, then certainly we are interested in going into government. And we haven't started those discussions. But over the next coming days, we should have a clearer picture on this.”

Fianna Fáil TD James Lawless said he was pleased to see such a “spirit of constructive collaboration” from the Social Democrats in their approach to talks and said that his party would reciprocate as the talks with all parties and individuals were about finding common ground.

As the party with the most seats the onus was on Fianna Fáil to lead the next government, he said.

“But of course we're open to suggestions and input and talking to prospective parties about what their particular views are and then seeing what we can agree on together.”