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T\u00e1naiste Simon Coveney has declared that Fine Gael are “election-ready” as ministers laid down a demand that talks with Fianna F\u00e1il on the government support pact conclude soon.<\/p>\nT\u00e1naiste Simon Coveney has declared that Fine Gael are “election-ready” as ministers laid down a demand that talks with Fianna F\u00e1il on the government support pact conclude soon.<\/p>\n
Speaking at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis in City West, Dublin, Mr Coveney made it clear that he and the party wants negotiations with Fianna F\u00e1il to wrap up quickly.<\/p>\n
Fine Gael was ready to face a snap general election if it cannot get clarity from Fianna F\u00e1il over renewing the current deal, he stressed.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will not stay in government without clarity in terms of the Confidence and Supply agreement.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou cannot run a government working week to week…That\u2019s why these negotiations are serious in terms of trying to provide stability,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Mr Coveney added that Fine Gael did not want this process to go on forever but said he is happy with how the talks are progressing to date.<\/p>\n
However, other ministers were equally eager for a poll, if needs be.<\/p>\n
Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said that the printing machines for posters or campaign material were \u201cwell oiled\u201d.<\/p>\n
The T\u00e1naiste also did not pull back from suggesting Fine Gael were ready to face voters if a new mandate was needed.<\/p>\n
He said: \u201cWe are a party that is election-ready we are certainly not taking for granted the successful outcome of the Confidence and Supply discussions.\u201d<\/p>\n