Bacik refuses to rule out coalition move amid attempts for ‘centre-left bloc’

Labour leader Ivana Bacik has said it remains her preference to create a “centre-left bloc” of parties during government formation talks.

However, she refused to rule out the prospect of entering into a coalition alone with Fine Gael and Fianna Fail.

Those two parties, with a combined 86 seats, are just short of the 88 required for a majority. If they wish to return to government together, they would need one smaller party as a junior partner or a handful of independents.

The election of a Ceann Comhairle may also increase the numbers of independents potentially needed for a stable government.

Speaking on Thursday, Ms Bacik said she had set up meetings with Green leader Roderic O’Gorman, who is now the party’s only TD, and the Social Democrats.

“Those meetings are explicitly for the purpose of forging a common platform – an agreed agenda for change – with which we can then go as a bloc to the three bigger parties to engage in any sort of talks on government formation.”

She said she wanted to explore these options to deliver “progressive change” on housing, healthcare and disability services.

The Labour leader said formation talks are at a “very early stage” and it is not yet known what parties will be in government.

She also said she had met Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin, characterising it as “a formality”.

Asked where Labour would be left if the Social Democrats ruled out entering into government with Fianna Fail or Fine Gael, Ms Bacik said: “Anyone on the centre-left who’s serious about delivering change must look at how best to do that, and the best way to do that is from a position of collective strength, and that’s why we set out the common platform approach.

“So we’re really committed to it, and I do hope you’ll see positive engagement from others on it.”

Pressed on whether she would enter into government without the Social Democrats, Ms Bacik replied: “At this point, my priority is building the common platform on the left.

Ms Bacik was speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting of her “really strong and vibrant” parliamentary party – made up of 14 members: 11 TDs, two outgoing senators and one MEP.

Elsewhere, Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan said he wanted to see the party in government and added that he was open to co-operating with all parties, including Labour.

It came after the party’s negotiating team had “constructive talks” with Sinn Fein on Thursday.

He told reporters: “We were talking through a number of issues that are very important to us, such as housing, healthcare, childcare, disability services, climate action.

“This is the first of a series of meetings that we’re having. We’ll meet with the Labor Party tomorrow. We were talking to Taoiseach and Tanaiste in the last couple of days, we’re due to meet them next week as well.”

Meanwhile, Fine Gael announced the make-up of its full negotiating team led by deputy leader Helen McEntee.

The six-strong panel also includes Paschal Donohoe, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill, Martin Heydon, John Cummins and John Paul O’Shea.

Fine Gael leader Simon Harris has also held “serious” preliminary conversations with Fianna Fail, Labour, the Social Democrats and a number of independent TDs.