Harney leaves door open for Fine Gael

TÁNAISTE Mary Harney has reiterated that the PDs could enter government with Fine Gael after the next election.

Ms Harney said many of her party’s members “would prefer us to go down the Fine Gael road”, although she had no preference.

Her party’s policies on economic issues, including taxation, “could be easily reconciled” with those of Fine Gael, she told a meeting of the Young PDs at Trinity College Dublin.

Ms Harney’s comments are a clear sign that the PDs will keep their options as open as possible ahead of the next election, although they will not countenance forming a coalition with Sinn Féin.

The fly in the ointment of a possible Fine Gael-PD government, however, is the question of the third partner in such an arrangement. Labour has already agreed a pre-election pact with Fine Gael, but the parties are taking markedly different approaches to the PDs.

Earlier this month, Labour leader Pat Rabbitte refused to consider forming an alliance with the party.

“Despite having offered themselves for election on the grounds that they would act as watchdog over Fianna Fáil, (the PDs) have clung on to their ministerial seats as fiasco after fiasco has been unveiled. It seems nothing would catapult PD ministers out of government with Fianna Fáil, except an invitation to join Labour and Fine Gael in government. Such an invitation will not be forthcoming.”

Fine Gael, however, said Mr Rabbitte was speaking for his own party only.