THOUGH they won the largest number of first-preference votes in the Irish general election, it looks increasingly likely that Sinn Fein will be excluded from any coalition or arrangement to form a new government in the Republic of Ireland.
Outgoing Taoiseach Leo Varadkar of Fine Gael met Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin yesterday to start talks about who will form the new government.
Sinn Fein have kept up a barrage of criticism of the two parties, one of which have been in power for a nearly a century – but Martin was adamant yesterday that their unexpectedly good performance in the election did not give Sinn Fein the right to be involved in coalition talks. He said: “The people’s government can only be formed by a majority of elected representatives of Dail Eireann. Everybody knows that. Put away all the hype and hyperbole.
“You can have as many meetings as you like. The bottom line. The people elect Dail Eireann under our constitution.”
In a separate but significant development, RTE reported yesterday that a group of eight independent TDs (MPs) are now wanting Fianna Fail and Fine Gael to form a government. RTE reported that this group “could ultimately provide some support for such a coalition”.
Though a left-wing coalition government is looking increasingly unlikely, a full Sinn Fein delegation met the Green Party TDs yesterday for seven and a half hours of detailed policy discussions.
Sinn Fein lead negotiator Pearse Doherty said: “We have discussed a range of issues, including, housing, health, climate change, communities, Irish unity/Brexit/constitutional change, childcare/education, giving workers and families a break and finance.
“These have been very constructive meetings and we have agreed to exchange papers in the coming days.
“Sinn Fein is determined to deliver a government for change and we will meet again with the Green Party immediately after the weekend.”
Turkey buys British drill ship for its oil gamble
BUYING not so much off the shelf as in the British bargain basement, the government of Turkey has bought a third offshore drilling ship to prospect for oil in the disputed waters off Cyprus.
Turkey’s energy minister Fatih Donmez (pictured below) confirmed the purchase, which will significantly raise the stakes in the huge gamble which the country is taking.
Desperate to find oil and gas resources, Turkey has already faced sanctions from the European Union for drilling in waters which Cyprus – one of the smallest countries in the EU – has claimed as its own.
The dispute arises from the de facto division of the island, dating from 1974 when Turkey invaded following a coup against Greece’s annexation of Cyprus. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus was founded in 1983 and Turkey now claims it is drilling in the waters of North Cyprus – only Turkey recognises it as a sovereign state.
Donmez told a press conference: “We ordered a new drilling ship from Britain called Sertao.
“We will give it a national name which is not clear now.
Turkey awaits delivery of the ship, which is very important to preserve the rights of Turkish Cypriots and Turkey in the eastern Mediterranean.”
Middle East Monitor reported: “Having bought its first two drilling vessels from Norway, Turkey purchased the Sertao at an auction in Britain for much less than its predicted market value of around $120 million. It had lain unsold in Port Talbot, Wales, for nearly two years after the company which owned it went bankrupt.”
Reports in Turkey said the price paid was just $37.5m.
EIB triples its investments in Slovenia
THE European Investment Bank Group (EIB) nearly tripled its investments in Slovenia in 2019.
The EU country with a population of just over two million has now benefited from billions of euros in investment by the EIB .
Last year, figures confirmed by the EIB show that in 2019 alone some €250m – three times more than in 2018 – has been invested in support of the country’s economic and social growth, SMEs, job creation, energy security and energy efficiency, as well as infrastructural development.
The EIB said: “With €7 billion invested in Slovenia since beginning of operations in the country, the EIB is today one of the biggest investors in Slovenia and a key source of affordable, long-term financing for Slovenian economy.”
Both parts of the EIB Group – the EIB and the European Investment Fund (EIF) – significantly increased their investments in Slovenia in 2019. The EIB invested €184m – more than twice the figure for in 2018) – while the EIF invested some €66m.
In 2019, the EIB-approved projects were made under the European Fund for Strategic Investments (EFSI), a €21bn guarantee programme introduced by the Investment Plan for Europe which does not apply to the UK any more.
EIB vice-president Lilyana Pavlova said: “EIB results in Slovenia for 2019 are proof of the EIB’s continued commitment to social and economic development of the country. We have tripled our investments here compared to 2018 and supported almost every key sector of the Slovenian economy – from SMEs to energy and energy efficiency.
“This would not be possible without our partners in the country as well as our dedicated teams in Luxembourg and Ljubljana. In 2020, we look forward to seizing more opportunities together with our Slovenian partners in sectors such as climate and energy."
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