FG/Labour pact dead in the water, says Hayes

THE political pact struck between the two main opposition parties nearly three years ago is effectively dead in the water, according to a Fine Gael frontbench TD.

Brian Hayes, the party’s interim spokesman on health and a newly elected deputy, said the Mullingar Accord had reached its “end point”. Fine Gael and Labour agreed the pact in September 2004, primarily to offer voters an alternative government at election time.

It also acted as a blueprint for co-ordinating policies, council work and ultimately led to a voting pact.