THE Archbishop of Dublin, Dr Michael Jackson, has called on politicians negotiating a new government to work on a new administration that represents all sectors of society.

“Across the whole of Ireland, new political things are happening,” Dr Jackson said. “New political work is being done. New futures are unfolding, tired structures are being revived.”

He commended politicians who were trying to build a society based on a generous sense of public duty, and providing a tangible dividend for a broad range of people including the ‘squeezed middle’ and the marginalised and dispossessed.”

Calling for wisdom of decision and generosity of understanding on the part of those who form a new administration in the Republic, he warned against a new complacency. “The more normalised the housing crisis, the homelessness crisis, and the hospital crisis become in the Republic of Ireland, the more callous our carelessness becomes regarding those who have no voice and who have no purchase in our society.”

The main political entities have begun cross-party talks: Sinn Féin has opened dialogue with left-leaning groups, while outgoing Fine Gael is looking to go into opposition. Fianna Fáil is facing the possibility of having to enter a “grand coalition” with fellow centrist Fine Gael and the Green Party, after ruling out partnership with Sinn Féin, as did Fine Gael.

Irish voters are also weighing up the possibility of having to return to the polls if no agreement is possible (News, 14 February).