Fine Gael will get maximum of 78 seats, says Garret FitzGerald

FORMER taoiseach Garret FitzGerald yesterday predicted a maximum of 78 seats for Fine Gael, which he led in coalition governments.

A Fine Gael/Labour coalition he said, would be a far more solid option after the election than a minority Fine Gael government depending on the support of independents.

Addressing under-graduates at the University of Limerick, Dr FitzGerald said: “If they stick together for five years they will have the majority needed to do all the unpopular things that have to be done.”