Denials and accusations as parties do battle on alleged overture to Sinn Féin

CONTROVERSY over claims that the Green Party were asked to sound out Sinn Féin on whether they would support a Fine Gael government descended into farce yesterday, dominating the last day of campaigning before tomorrow’s elections.

The war of words over who said what was the main focus at the final press conferences.

Enda Kenny was forced to deny claims by former Green Party leader Trevor Sargent that he had asked Mr Sargent to approach Sinn Féin after the last election with a view to supporting a Fine Gael led rainbow government.

“If I had been prepared to do business with Sinn Féin after the last election I would have been Taoiseach for the past two years,” said Mr Kenny.

He said it was absurd to suggest he would ask another party leader to make approaches on his behalf. “If I have anything to say to another party I will say it directly,” he said.

At the Green Party press conference, Mr Sargent was asked whether he or Mr Kenny were telling lies and said: “I am not the liar.”

He said the conversation call took place when there was a realisation that Fianna Fáil could make up a Government with the help of the Progressive Democrats and independents.

Mr Sargent said Mr Kenny asked him if he was willing to discuss the possibility of forming the next Government, but he told him the figures did not add up and he would have to talk to Sinn Féin.

“I said that if you want to be Taoiseach you don’t have a choice. It was then that he said could you give them a nod or ask them a question would they be prepared to vote for him as Taoiseach.

“I said, that is a very unusual thing. You have a phone and a voice. Why don’t you ask your own questions,” Mr Sargent told the press conference.

He later said: “The only way I can rationalise it is that Enda Kenny had some experience in the Ballrooms of Romance in Mayo when he asked a fellow to ask your sister ‘will she got out with me’.”

Mr Sargent mentioned the phone call to Sinn Féin Dáil leader Caoimhghín O Caoláin: “I did in passing say to him you will never believe it but Enda Kenny was on to me and he is interested in your vote.”

The current Green Party leader John Gormley then revealed the Fine Gael TD Phil Hogan had asked him to sound out the possibility of Sinn Féin support in the Dáil for a Fine Gael-led coalition.

“I remember saying to Phil Hogan: ‘It’s not possible without the Shinners’ and he said would you talk to them?”.

Mr Gormley said he was “disappointed” with the denials by Mr Kenny.