The Social Democrats have ruled out joining the ongoing government formation talks.
The party's leaders had been considering the document sent by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael asking smaller parties to join efforts to form a new government.
While the Green Party has taken up the offer, the Social Democrats today said the replies they've received from Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to their questions do not indicate anything other than a ‘business as usual’ approach.
The party said the answers they've received "simply don’t add up", and they have now written to other party leaders saying they intend to offer "constructive opposition" to any FF/FG/Green coalition.
Social Democrats co-leader Roisín Shortall said: “Getting through the COVID crisis is one thing but getting through the aftermath is crucial - and will determine how we shape Ireland for decades to come.
"We have seen the result of the post-2008 approach, a decade of austerity, hardship and lost opportunities for so many and the creation of what we have come to refer to as the Locked-Out Generation."
Deputy Shortall suggested that "sustainable strategic investment" with a focus on equality and fairness is needed as the country emerges from the current crisis.
She said: "We are strongly of the view that trying to continue on with more of the same and a ‘business as usual’ approach will inevitably be damaging to the vast majority of ordinary households in Ireland.”
The Labour party has previously ruled out the prospect of joining government formation talks, instead reiterating that they're planning to go into opposition.
Leaders of the three parties currently involved in negotiations say they hope to reach a deal by the end of the month - although any agreement would need to be ratified by the parties' members.
