Kenny puts FG on election war footing

FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny yesterday set out the party’s general election priorities and promised to canvass every town and village in the country over the summer.

With a possible election less than 100 weeks away, Mr Kenny also said Labour’s acceptance of a pre-election pact last week had given the electorate a clear alternative choice. The Fine Gael leader also revealed that party membership is at an all-time high with more than 34,000 members registered.

Speaking aftera briefing about organisation with parliamentary party members yesterday, Mr

Kenny said the party was ready to fight all the way to the next election. Setting out the party’s agenda, he said priorities would be health, crime and value for money. Labour has already claimed ownership of the issue of childcare, insisting that their 1bn plan be part of any pre-election pact with Fine Gael. The plan includes one year’s paid parental leave and a free pre-school place for every three-year-old.

Labour has also promised to focus on areas where people are becoming disillusioned with the Government, such as health, education and workers’ rights. However, in a bid to distinguish themselves and win over voters, Fine Gael yesterday outlined their own priorities. The party will focus on health ideas like putting A&E drunks in special wet rooms and introducing screening programmes for all adults.

On crime, Mr Kenny promised to get more gardaí out on the beat and to tackle anti-social behaviour by making parents more responsible for their children. The party is also promising to end Budget Day and make ministers more accountable for cost overruns.

“That means making ministers culpable for budget overruns and ditching the farce of Budget Day. It also means breaking up cosy professional cartels and having the Government as the friend of the consumer, not an agent for higher prices in public services,” he said.

Urging his party to enter election mode, Mr Kenny also said all selection conventions would be held before the end of this year. The move would put identifiable candidates in place possibly more than a year before the election date.

“I’m now challenging the organisation, and our 34,219 members, to continue the momentum behind Fine Gael and present our message in every town, village and community in the country over the coming months,” said Mr Kenny.