Gilmore under pressure not to cut ‘sell-out’ deal

LABOUR leader Eamon Gilmore was under pressure from the left of the party not to cut a “sell-out” deal with Fine Gael last night.

As negotiations entered their second day, sources have told the Irish Examiner the party is prepared to concede not having control of the key finance department in a coalition Cabinet, but would insist on trade and employment to compensate along with two of the three big spending departments of health, social protection and education as well as other prime “wins”.

As the Unite union ratcheted up pressure on Labour not to go into power with Fine Gael, left-wing activists organised to oppose any proposed programme for government deal which is set to be debated and voted on at a special delegate convention this Sunday.