PDs question deputy’s call for an SF/FF coalition

THE Progressive Democrats yesterday issued a withering response to calls by a Fianna Fáil TD that they should actively consider going into coalition with Sinn Féin.

Cork senator John Minihan questioned Ned O’Keeffe’s views, which seemed to float the opinion that SF would be more natural coalition partners than the PDs.

The Cork East TD had told the Irish Examiner that he agreed with Minister for Foreign Affairs Dermot Ahern that it was just a matter of time before Sinn Féin entered Government.

While Mr Ahern had made their entry contingent on the demonstrable disbandment of the IRA, Mr O’Keeffe argued that Sinn Féin had established a clear democratic and electoral mandate.

He further suggested that FF should actively consider a coalition agreement with Sinn Féin after the next General Election.

But yesterday Mr Minihan questioned if Mr O’Keeffe had given any consideration to sharing a Government with a party whose “hard-left economic policies would spell disaster for the country”.

“It would be hello emigration, goodbye employment,” he argued.

Mr Minihan claimed Sinn Féin’s economic policies would have a serious effect on the country’s economic fortunes.

Referring to the economic gains of the past seven years, he went on to say: “Is Deputy O’Keeffe now willing to throw all that away in favour of the Marxist economic policies of Sinn Féin?”

Mr O’Keeffe was also criticised in the Dáil yesterday morning by his FF constituency colleague, Minister of State Michael Ahern. Addressing the opposition benches he asked would they take him because Fine Gael would not?

However, Mr O’Keeffe’s comments reflect a growing - albeit minority - sentiment among some sections of FF that a future arrangement with SF cannot be ruled out if the partysevers its links to violence.

Senator Martin Mansergh told the Seanad this week it was unhelpful to suggest that Sinn Féin should not be allowed to share Government even if the IRA were to disband completely.