Statement from Social Democrats deputy leader Cian O’Callaghan following a meeting of the party’s parliamentary party this morning.
“At a meeting of the Social Democrats parliamentary party this morning, a decision was taken to continue talks with the four parties we have already engaged with – Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and Labour.
“Earlier, during the meeting, I and the other members of our negotiation team – Jennifer Whitmore and Gary Gannon – updated the parliamentary party on those meetings.
“We reported that the meetings had been positive and constructive with a good exchange of views.
“These talks have been exploratory to date but I expect that next week they will become more focused – particularly on the dealbreakers we highlighted during the election campaign.
“Those dealbreakers were the delivery of 50,000 genuinely affordable homes during the lifetime of the next government; the full implementation of Sláintecare; quality public childcare; a senior minister for disability and credible climate action to avoid up to €20 billion in EU fines.
“In continuing these talks, the Social Democrats are delivering on a commitment we gave to the electorate to talk to every party after the election with a view to forming a government and delivering on our mandate.”