In the aftermath of an election that had produced no overall winner , and as Fine Gael parliamentary party secretary , McEntee voiced her support for a proposed Fine Gael – Fianna Fáil coalition , which had been put forward by Kenny and other senior party figures . The move was backed by Fine Gael 's backbench TDs at a meeting on 7 April , but rejected by Fianna Fáil . McEntee described the proposal as " an historic offer , representing seismic change in the political landscape " . She also participated in an internal party inquiry into Fine Gael 's poor election performance , as part of a team of TDs who spoke to unsuccessful candidates , but stood down from this position upon her appointment as a junior minister
aftermath
2016 Irish government formation
Helen McEntee