https://soundcloud.com/rte-ie/enda-kenny-refuses-to-rule-out-seeking-michael-lowry-support
On RTÉ Radio One’s This Week yesterday, presented by Colm Ó Mongáin, Taoiseach Enda Kenny refused to rule out – several times – making a deal with Independent TD Michael Lowry after the general election.
How it played out…
Colm Ó Mongáin: “Why would you not, after all that’s happened, rule out Michael Lowry as somebody to support in Government?”
Enda Kenny: “Well, first of all, let me confirm, to you quite clearly and categorically, there are no discussions, no connections, no contact with any Independent, from the Fine Gael party. I don’t envisage having to do business with any Independent, with any Independent.”
Ó Mongáin: “OK.”
Kenny: “Because the proposition I’m putting forward to the people is that they have the choice…”
Ó Mongáin: “But just on this specific point, on this specific point, you’ve ruled out Fianna Fáil, you’ve ruled out Sinn Féin, so you are in the business of ruling people out, why not just add Michael Lowry to that list?”
Kenny: “My proposition is to to say to you that I want the people to make a choice, to give their verdict to decide if they want this recovery kept moving forward, if they want the impact of that developed into appointments, services and…”
Ó Mongáin: “With respect Taoiseach, now we’ve covered that in the first half of this interview, but, on the specific question of Deputy Michael Lowry, would you rule out supporting him in Government?”
Kenny: “I have no intention and no connections and I don’t envisage having to do business with any Independent after the election.”
Ó Mongáin: “But that’s a prediction, would you not just take him off the pitch, given that you said in the Dáil, in March 2011, in response, the Tribunal finds serially, serially against Deputy Michael Lowry. You used adjectives like ‘arrogance’, ‘unseemliness’, ‘danger of the public reaction’ and, I quote, ‘I cannot a mandate from the Irish people or true democrats anywhere that would involve an order or desire or permission for the behaviour outlined in that report.’ Now that surely puts Michael Lowry beyond the pale for your Government?”
Kenny: “Let me bring you back to what I said to you here. First of all, I confirmed categorically there is no connection…”
Ó Mongáin: “With respect, Taoiseach, that’s not the question. I asked you would you rely on the support of Michael Lowry..”
Kenny: “I don’t envisage having to do business with any Independent member of the Dáil. Who the people elect is their business. My proposition is for the re-election of the Fine Gael/Labour government. This recovery is very fragile. Now is not the time to mess around with it. Now is not the time to disrupt the progress that the people can clearly see. I want…”
Ó Mongáin: “Taoiseach, can you give a Yes or No answer. Is Michael Lowry a potential person to support the Government? You don’t envisage it but if the numbers came down to it, could you rule him out?”
Kenny: “I have no intention of having to do business with any Independent, I hope that that’s clear.”
Ó Mongáin: “It’s not, with respect, Taoiseach, as to whether or not you’re going to do business with Michael Lowry after the next election. You don’t want to do business with any Independent but you’re not going to rule out Michael Lowry?”
Kenny: “I have no intention of dealing with speculation about the outcome of the election. I don’t intend to have to do business with any Independent. I hope that that’s clear.”
Listen back to the interview in full here
Kenny has no intention of doing business with Independents (RTE)
