New govt will be formed in two to three weeks – Troy

A new coalition government featuring Fianna Fail and Fine Gael will be formed within the next two to three weeks, Deputy Robert Tory believes.

Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner yesterday, Deputy Troy said that negotiations on a programme for government should begin in the coming days.

It is vital for the country that a new government is formed sooner rather than later, he says.

“The priority for anybody in any party should be how to we continue to address the Covid-19 public health crisis and from an economic perspective, how do we protect as many jobs and businesses as is feasibly possible.”

Once the current crisis passes, Deputy Troy says that programme for government has to focus on what were the key issues identified by voters before the election: housing, health, the cost of insurance and the cost of living.

When asked how he felt the caretaker government had performed during the current crisis, Deputy Troy said that, overall, they had performed well. However, he said that after the Ireland Italy game in the Six Nations was called off last month, the 3,000 Italian who travelled that weekend should have been prevented from entering the country. He also believes that the Irish horse racing fans who attended Cheltenham should have been forced to self isolate for two weeks after their return.

Deputy Troy added that the actions of Sinn Féin’s TDs since the crisis began highlighted the unsuitability of the party to govern.

“They are trying to use the crisis as a means to divide and that is just wrong. It is a national crisis and a humanitarian crisis in certain instances. It does need cool, calm heads working together to address the challenges that face us,” he said.

At present, no legislation can be passed as the Seanad can only be constituted once the new taoiseach has made his 11 appointments.