Shadow of infighting falls over launch of Fine Gael manifesto

Coalition infighting dominated the launch of Fine Gael’s manifesto for the crunch European elections.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny moved to lavish public praise on Labour ministers after the party’s rogue MEP Phil Prendergast called for Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore to be ousted as leader due to his failure to connect with voters.

Government confusion and back-biting over delays in announcing the water- pricing regime also featured prominently at the launch which the party had hoped would focus on economic recovery.