Parties urged to unite in grand coalition

Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil should bury their differences and pool their resources in a grand coalition which would benefit the people of Ireland, veteran broadcaster Bill O’Herlihy has said.

The RTÉ sports presenter and former political adviser called for a “sea change” in Irish politics, but last night sources in both parties dismissed the idea.

Giving the address at the 91st annual commemoration for Michael Collins at Béal na mBláth in West Cork, veteran broadcaster Bill O’Herlihy said politicians should pay tribute to the “the Big Fella” with new ideas.

He called for the two parties to join forces and said Irish people had become impatient and so much reform would be possible if the “senseless old divisions” were eliminated.

Mr O’Herlihy, who is a strong Fine Gael supporter and advised former taoiseach Garret FitzGerald, said: “I believe coalition of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil has much to offer at a time of huge challenge for Ireland.

“I suspect the Irish people would like to see this development. I would like to see this development in a new political landscape true to the ideals of Collins.”

In speaking at Béal na mBláth, the Cork native followed in the footsteps of Taoiseach Enda Kenny, who gave the speech marking the 90th anniversary of Collins’ death last year.

Collins, who was minister for finance in the first Dáil of 1919, was killed in an ambush during the Civil War in 1922.

Prayers were said yesterday at the spot in Beal na mBlath where the 32-year-old was gunned down, as Mr O’Herlihy paid tribute to his “passion for change”.

Mr O’Herlihy said that the revolutionary leader would be proud of “the spirit of the people”, but that the “indifferent and complacent” individuals responsible for Ireland’s banking collapse would have got “very short shrift” from him.

He added: “Does it make any sense to have the major political parties tussling for power where, for so long, the width of a sheet of tissue paper scarcely separated their policies? How much more progress? How much more reform would be possible if senseless old historical divisions were eliminated from our politics?”

Both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil had the proven trust of Irish people over the past 80 years, he said, adding: “They should examine and, if necessary, pool what they share and allow the people of this country to reap the benefits.”

He claimed that Fine Gael had moved into the centre-right position in politics now while Fianna Fáil were vying for support in the centre-left ground with Labour as well as Sinn Féin.

A speech by former Fianna Fáil minister Mary O’Rourke on a coming together of the two parties had also impressed him, Mr O’Herlihy said, adding: “I recognise this would represent a sea-change in Irish political life and an enormous challenge to implement.”

However, Mr O’Herlihy told attendees at the memorial service: “But in spite of all these reservations, I believe coalition of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil has much to offer at a time of huge challenge for Ireland.

“I suspect the Irish people would like to see this development. I would like to see this development in a new political landscape true to the ideals of Collins.”