Confidence and supply deal on brink as war of words goes on

The confidence and supply deal between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil will not be renewed in the light of hostilities between Leo Varadkar and Micheál Martin, sources in both parties believe.

Yesterday the taoiseach questioned Mr Martin’s commitment to the deal that keeps Fine Gael in power, saying that he was sending “mixed messages”. The spat intensified after Mr Martin said on Wednesday night that Mr Varadkar was acting like he had a “divine right to lead” and needed to “cop on”.

Earlier that day Mr Varadkar had indicated to the media that he intended to approach Fianna Fáil to extend the minority government deal. Mr Martin’s position is that the deal cannot be discussed until after the budget passes.

The taoiseach, who was in…