SIPTU green light to pact of FG-Labour

LABOUR leader Pat Rabbitte’s high-risk strategy of forming an electoral pact with Fine Gael before the next general election last night received a significant endorsement from Ireland’s largest trade union.

SIPTU general secretary Jack O’Connor gave his conditional support to the arrangement - a development that will be regarded as helpful to Mr Rabbitte when the issue of pre-electoral pacts is debated at the party’s national conference in May.

The so-called Mullingar Accord between Mr Rabbitte and FG leader Enda Kenny has proved to be divisive within the party.