There will not be any need for a new election if the programme for government is rejected, it's been claimed.
Veteran Fianna Fail TD Eamon O Cuiv said it would be reckless to go to the country with another election at this critical time.
He made the claim as caretaker Tanaiste Simon Coveney warned that another election cannot be ruled out if the programme for government is voted down this week.
Deputy O Cuiv - who wrote to party members warning accepting the deal is the beginning of the end of Fianna Fail - accused both Micheal Martin and Leo Varadkar of “scaremongering”.
He said that if the Greens reject the deal “there is no crisis” because there are alternative other than an election.
He told Clare FM: “There is nothing to stop, for the short term, for the interim period which I have no problem with, for a government being formed, for example Fine Gael supporting Fianna Fail as we’ve supported them in the last government and the independents coming on with us.
“There are enough sane heads in Leinster House to make sure there is a government by the weekend. It is totally scaremongering to say otherwise.”
But caretaker Tanaiste Simon Coveney told RTE’s Morning Ireland that there could be another election if the deal is voted down this week.
He said: “I think we will have to have that debate when it happens. I’m a positive person and I believe we can get this done this week and that is what the country wants us to do.
Asked if another election could be on the cards if the deal does not pass, he said: “Well I mean we can’t rule out anything. Our focus will be on getting this deal passed and putting in place a government that can work for people when the country needs it.”
He said this is a difficult week for Fine Gael, Fianna Fail and the Green Party because there is division among members and politicians about the deal.
He said: “In many ways, within Fine Gael there are lots of people who still find it difficult to contemplate going into government with Fianna Fail in particular.
“Politics has changed and if Fine Gael defines itself by its past and its past relationship with Fianna Fail then I believe the electorate will move away from us. We have got to define ourselves by what we want for the future.”
When asked about opposition to the deal, voiced by Ms Hourigan, he said she was part of the negotiating team that signed off on the deal.
He said: “She did not get everything she wanted in the deal... nor did I."
The results of all three party votes will be announced on Friday and all three must back the deal in order for Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin to be elected Taoiseach when the Dail sits this Saturday.
