Sinn Féin TD for Dublin South West Seán Crowe has described the so-called “Grand Coalition” of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael as “logical since there is really not much in terms of policy that separate them”, but said the prospect of “more of the same will not impress many of those voters who voted for change”.

Crowe said the document released by Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil was little more than “spin and waffle” which had all the indications of the previous governments’ approach of being “long on promises, short on ambition, and missing vital delivery timescales”.

Teachta Crowe said:

“The people who rejected and voted out the last government did not vote for more of the same. The election was roundly praised as being a vote for change, a change from the old, stale way of doing business that left far too many people behind. A departure from the ideology of the past which fostered inequality and deprivation, a rejection of the policy of looking after the interest of an elite few, with the burden of cost being carried by ordinary taxpayers

“Having had a good read of this document, it amazes me to see the sheer lack of ambition or vision.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael cannot even promise to eliminate family homelessness, they say in this document that they would simply ‘prioritise its reduction’.

“The COVID-19 crisis has shown us that the previous refusals to invest in health and housing can create untold problems when an unexpected challenge occurs. While the response of the health service and of healthcare professionals has been nothing short of inspiring, they were forced from start to be on the back foot when the virus came to our shores, under-resourced, lacking key staff, insufficient ICU and hospital beds, and largely without vital personal protection equipment.

“Front-line staff responded to Ireland’s call, putting their lives at risk, while going without even the most basic protection equipment.

“There is a smack of arrogance to this document. Central to its approach is the belief that all Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have to do is publish their document and the smaller parties will come running to their banner.

“Not everyone enters politics for power or personal ambition and this may confuse some from the establishment parties where that sadly has become the norm.

“This document is a framework for more of the same. It is a document that represents everything that people came out in their droves to vote against last February.

“By trying to exclude Sinn Féin from any negotiations, the old boys club or ‘Grand Coalition Partners’ have proven that they are terrified of change.

“It proves they want nothing more than to hold their grip on power continuing to exclude and deliver for the wealthy, the golden circle in Irish society, while ordinary people struggle to access housing, healthcare, childcare, and a decent standard of living.

“This ‘Grand Coalition’ may have never happened before, but it won’t impress many of my constituents.”