Kenny calls for SF action in Rafferty case

FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny yesterday called for immediate Government and Sinn Féin action against the killers of Joseph Rafferty.

Mr Kenny said he is satisfied the murder was carried out by an active IRA member.

Following a meeting with the Rafferty family at Fine Gael's parliamentary party meeting in Portlaoise yesterday, Mr Kenny said: "The Taoiseach should procrastinate no longer and meet directly with this family. Secondly, there should be a clear statement from the president of Sinn Féin, Gerry Adams, as to whether the person associated with this murder is a member of Sinn Féin or not."

Mr Kenny also emphatically ruled out any possibility of a coalition deal with Sinn Féin.

As yesterday's meeting prepared to discuss rip-off Ireland, Mr Kenny declined to comment on whether he would tackle spiralling petrol prices with tax measures and instead called for greater price information to be made public.

In a speech to fellow TDs and senators, Mr Kenny also addressed the state of Fine Gael's growing election partnership with Labour, promising an agreed agenda for action before the election.

Asking the party to bring forward specific and imaginative proposals for alternative energy and childcare, Mr Kenny promised to improve on what he called the Government's failure in those areas.

Separately, on the fringes of yesterday's meeting, transport spokesperson Olivia Mitchell met with Aer Lingus SIPTU representatives who were anxious to establish the party's position on the privatisation of the airline compared to that of Labour. With Labour vehemently opposed to any sale, both parties will have to move considerably closer together on the issue before the election.

Education spokesperson Olwyn Enright, meanwhile, told reporters Fine Gael would press for the publication of local data on Leaving Cert results to enable parents compare the performance of schools in different subjects.