FG and Labour voting transfer pact under fire

FINE GAEL and Labour’s ‘dress-rehearsal’ vote transfer pact for the forthcoming by-elections came under heavy fire yesterday before it even got off the ground.

Nonetheless, Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte promised their relationship would blossom and voters will be offered a choice of coalition government options at the next general election.

Formally announcing the voting pact for Kildare North and Meath polls on March 11, Fine Gael leader Mr Kenny said he planned to put an alternative together before the next election and this was an another step in that direction.

“In good time before the next election, an agreement can hopefully be put before the people,” he said.

Labour leader Mr Rabbitte said there were procedures in his party that had to be followed before heading into a pre-election pact.

“It’s certainly my intention that the people will be offered a choice at the next general election. The general election is a long way away in all probability,” he said.

Responding to attacks on the by-election agreement from Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, Mr Kenny said he was building on the work of last year when Fine Gael asked its voters to transfer to Labour.

“This is not a pact for a general election. It is not a Programme for Government.

“It is a pact to maximise votes,” he said.

Yet Fianna Fáil pointed out that in last summer’s local elections, Labour only asked its voters to transfer to anyone bar the Government parties, making no distinction between Fine Gael or Sinn Féin.

Communications Minister Noel Dempsey said the pact was devoid of credibility as Fine Gael and Labour were at odds over the M3 in Meath and the stallion tax exemption in Kildare North.

“On fundamental issues these parties are totally divided. This is a transfer pact based on what the parties are against. There is no shared programme, no common agenda. Driven by desperation, not conviction, it is a pact in tatters before it begins,” the minister said.

Sinn Féin found itself of the same side of the argument as Fianna Fáil as its candidate, Cllr Joe Reilly, described the pact as “laughable” and “all smoke and mirrors”.

“The two parties couldn’t agree on the colour of milk never mind important political policies,” he said.

Regarding the by-elections, Fine Gael and Labour said voting for their candidates was the best means to deliver a message to the Government about its failings in Meath and North Kildare.

“We believe it is necessary that people should also have a sense of a real alternative to the present Government and its failed policies. We believe that co-operation between us is the best way to offer that alternative,” the party leaders said in a joint statement.