Fine Gael recruits ‘politically promiscuous’ Keating

THE Green party accused Fine Gael of “desperation” in recruiting a councillor who has previously been a member of both Fianna Fáil and the PDs.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny yesterday unveiled independent councillor Derek Keating as the latest addition to the party.

Mr Keating sits on South Dublin County Council, and ran unsuccessfully as an independent candidate in last year’s general election in Dublin Mid-West.

The latter may have been a factor in the attack by Green party TD Paul Gogarty, who called Mr Keating “politically promiscuous”.

Mr Gogarty represents the Dublin Mid-West constituency and Mr Keating could present a threat at the next general election.

“Cllr Keating was a member of Fianna Fáil in the 1980s before he joined the PDs. He remained a member of that political party during the worst excesses of corrupt and politically manipulated rezoning, which has left many of Dublin’s suburban communities still deprived of crucial services including schools, public transport, healthcare facilities and local shops,” Mr Gogarty said.

“He left the PDs to run as an independent in 1999 and built his campaign on opposing selfish political party interests.

“Now, because of his own selfish interests, he has hopped into bed with yet another political party. The question for Enda Kenny is: does he know where his latest bedfellow has been?”

But Mr Keating said he believed being part of a strong party machine could help him better serve his constituents.

“As an independent councillor, elected first in 1999, I decided it was time to review how best I could represent the people who elected me and on how best to continue my commitment to politics and public life.

“I have been very impressed by Fine Gael’s recent electoral success at both local and national level and felt that being part of that strong organisation could help me better serve the interests of my electorate.”

Fine Gael has recruited Mr Keating with an eye on the general election. The party does not have a TD in Dublin Mid-West, Frances Fitzgerald failing to win a seat at the last election, although she was subsequently elected to the Seanad. Fine Gael hopes Mr Keating can boost the party’s fortunes. Although he did not win a Dáil seat last year, he polled enough first preferences to suggest he could be a serious contender next time.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny, meanwhile, has insisted he will be in place for the general election after speculation that some party members are unhappy with his leadership following disappointing performances in recent opinion polls.