Martin: FG plan ‘full of black holes’

MICHEÁL MARTIN has defended his party’s so far unsuccessful strategy to win back public support and said Fine Gael effectively controlled the debate by keeping its policies and leader away from scrutiny.

In a blistering final attack on Enda Kenny, Mr Martin said Fine Gael’s Five Point Plan was full of black holes and Ireland could not afford the policies.

He denied his decision to kick off the campaign on the issue of televised debates and political reform had delayed his opportunity to expose fundamental problems which he claims exist in Fine Gael’s policy.

Instead he said it was Mr Kenny’s handlers who had stifled issues until the last minute by avoiding debates and holding off on the publication of the party’s manifesto. Mr Martin also accused Mr Kenny of turning his back on plans to abolish the Seanad because he wanted to tap into more than €4m in funding his senators would get in the next five years.

He also said, given Fianna Fáil’s stubbornly low ratings he had no regrets about not moving against Brian Cowen earlier. But deputy leader Mary Hanafin said the change at the top had improved the party’s chances despite its failure to make an impact in the polls. “I think it has made a difference I have noticed that Micheál’s energy and vision has made a difference to candidates around the country.

“And to canvassers as well who really feel that it is a new beginning for the party and I find it canvassing on doors that people will actually say it that they admire Micheál,” she said.

Mr Martin and Ms Hanafin were speaking at Fianna Fáil’s final press conference of the campaign.

Afterwards Mr Martin travelled to Louth where the party is guaranteed one seat, an entitlement of the outgoing Ceann Comhairle Seamus Kirk.

It remains in a dog fight to ensure young Senator James Carroll wins back the seat vacated by retired justice minister Dermot Ahern.

During yesterday’s canvass Mr Martin said he believed if Fine Gael and the Labour Party formed a coalition it would be a stable one but he feared if they broke election promises they would anger an already cynical electorate. He said Fianna Fáil would do well to go into opposition. “I think 14 years as a minister was a bit long, 14 years in government was a bit long.”

In Drogheda, and again at a stop in the village of Tallanstown, Mr Martin was greeted by outgoing leader of the Seanad Donie Cassidy. A representative from Westmeath, has followed Mr Martin like a greyhound after a hare for the past week as he campaigns for re-election to the Seanad.