FG/Labour battle ‘key clash of the election’

TENSIONS between Labour and Fine Gael intensified after Eamon Gilmore insisted the battle between the two parties was the key clash of this election.

The Labour leader attacked the main opposition party for siding with the Government on bank bailouts and warned he was challenging Enda Kenny to lead the alternative block to Fianna Fáil.

The sharp put down came after Fine Gael leader Mr Kenny warned that a vote for Labour could be a vote to keep Brian Cowen as Taoiseach, as the party had refused to rule out doing a deal with Fianna Fáil after the next general election.