PDs reject FG suggestion of ‘election stunt’
FG European election candidate Gay Mitchell described the PD TD’s comments calling for a halt to “Sinn Féin bashing” as a misguided pre-election stunt.
According to Mr Mitchell, the publication of the International Monitoring Commission’s report confirming continued IRA activity showed up Ms O’Donnell’s views.
In stark contrast to his welcoming of Ms O’Donnell’s expressed concerns about the citizenship referendum, the FG foreign affairs spokesman said the comments appeared to be little more than a pre-election stunt.
“Will Progressive Democrat voters be asked to continue their voting preference to Sinn Féin candidates in the local elections? If Ms O’Donnell’s antics in Cork are part of her campaign to stand in the European elections, as is now rumoured, will she be asking PD voters to transfer to the Sinn Féin candidate?” he said.
Saying the public was entitled to an explanation, Mr Mitchell asked if the PD chief whip stood by her earlier comments now that the report was published.
“Will Deputy O’Donnell now agree to support the comments of the Taoiseach and other senior political leaders in the country who have rightly condemned the continued association of Sinn Féin and the IRA as clearly shown in yesterday’s report,” Mr Mitchell said.
But a PD spokesperson denied Ms O’Donnell was going to change her mind on running for Europe and suggested Mr Mitchell might be better off focusing on his own campaign.
After months of speculation and consideration, the former Junior Foreign Affairs Minister ruled out contesting the European elections in recent weeks.
“Liz O’Donnell has made her position perfectly clear. That is the final decision and the definitive answer. Gay Mitchell ought to concentrate on his own campaign. She announced her decision a few weeks ago and that’s it,” the spokesperson said.
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