Retaining four seats minimum aim, says Kenny

FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny yesterday said retaining four seats in the European elections was the minimum that was acceptable to the party.

Speaking at the launch of the party's European election campaign, Mr Kenny admitted this was going to be a challenge, given the number of Irish MEPs was being cut from 15 to 13.

Mr Kenny took a swipe at rival parties particularly Fianna Fail for fielding candidates he claimed were half-hearted about serving in the European Parliament.

"We are giving the Irish electorate the chance to elect MEPs whose personal qualities and political affiliation ensure that Ireland's voice is heard in the European Parliament. In short, we are fielding the best team for Europe."

The candidates are Gay Mitchell in the Dublin constituency; Avril Doyle and Mairéad McGuinness in the East constituency; Madeleine Taylor-Quinn and Jim Higgins in the North West constituency and Simon Coveney in the South constituency.

Mr Kenny said the elections on June 11 were crucial, given the accession of 10 new countries to the EU and the reduction from 15 to 13 seats.

He said the 21% backing for the party in the European elections in a weekend opinion poll reflected the party's consistently solid core of support.

Fine Gael, he said, was in the strongest position as it was the sole Irish party that was a member of the European People's Party.

"Fine Gael's candidates are the only candidates who will be members of this dominant group. They are the only candidates who can say hand on heart to the people 'we will have the most power, we will have the most influence, we have the best chance of making your voice heard when the vital decisions are being made'."

He hit out at Fianna Fáil's approach to the election and said a number of its candidates including Minister of State Jim McDaid and Minister of State Liam Aylward had publicly expressed reluctance about contesting the election. Publishing Fine Gael's European election manifesto, the party's foreign affairs spokesman Gay Mitchell said Ireland should sign up to the EU Common Defence Policy.

The manifesto also supports greater co-operation on criminal justice and judicial matters, as well as the introduction of a single insurance market and an increase in overseas development aid. Ms Doyle MEP said 75% of Irish legislation started in Europe and the country needed to have its best representatives in the parliament. Ms McGuinness called on the Government to reverse its tax increase on petrol.