FG director of elections slapped over SF remarks

FINE GAEL leader Enda Kenny moved to slap down his director of elections yesterday for claiming the party could go into Government with Sinn Féin.

Mr Kenny said Frank Flannery had been “reminded of his responsibilities” after the party became embroiled in a wrangle over a future coalition with the republicans.

Fine Gael denied the incident had been a ploy to signal to supporters in Dublin to transfer votes to Sinn Féin’s Mary Lou McDonald in order to keep out the Fianna Fáil candidate.

However, Mr Kenny also denied the highly influential Mr Flannery had “gone rouge” by claiming a coalition between Fine Gael and Sinn Féin could work.

“Our position on Sinn Féin has not changed. I have reminded Frank Flannery of his responsibilities,” he said as he insisted Friday’s poll results would trigger a general election.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen poured scorn on the situation within Fine Gael as he moved to try and shore up the precarious position of sitting Fianna Fáil Dublin MEP Eoin Ryan.

He launched a fierce attack on Sinn Féin and the Socialist Party, who are vying with Mr Ryan for the third seat in Dublin.

“The last thing Dublin and Ireland needs are representatives in Europe who have anti-EU policy agendas. They will be on the fringes of the Parliament.

“The policies of Sinn Féin and the Socialist Party will not bring one job or one euro of investment to Dublin. On the contrary, their election would send out the wrong message to foreign investors about support in our capital city for Europe and could cost Dublin jobs and investment,” he said.

Socialist candidate Joe Higgins ridiculed the support offered to Mr Ryan by Health Minister Mary Harney. “When he thought that things could not get any worse, they did – Mary Harney endorsed him – that is the kiss of death,” he said.

Sinn Féin also attacked the Taoiseach, saying only Mary Lou McDonald could give a voice to those battered by the recession in Dublin.

Labour leader Eamon Gilmore called on FF voters disillusioned with Mr Cowen to switch to his party.

“Fianna Fáil voters have shown exceptional loyalty to the party over the decades, but the opinion polls suggest that, for the first time ever, many will not support Fianna Fáil on Friday. I understand why loyal Fianna Fáil voters will never switch to Fine Gael. However, the Labour Party offers a natural alternative to Fianna Fáil voters because Labour provides a clear alternative to both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael,” he said.