Fine Gael and Sinn Féin ‘not the only options’

Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s claim that the next election would be a choice between Fine Gael and Sinn Féin has been dismissed as "simplistic" by a senior Labour minister amid signs of Coalition tension over talk of a "cut and run" national poll.

Communications Minister Alex White said it was his view that the Government would serve out its full term until early 2016, despite what many have seen as the Taoiseach preparing the ground for an earlier election.

“It is simplistic to seek to reduce the next election to a contest between any two parties,” Mr White told RTÉ.

The remarks appeared to be a rebuke for a concerted effort launched by Mr Kenny and Finance Minister Michael Noonan to try and frame the next election as a battle between Fine Gael and Sinn Féin.

Mr White said talk of an early general election was not helpful.

“The most important thing for the Government parties to do now is steady the ship. I do not believe an election is in the offing,” he said.

Fianna Fáil finance spokesman Michael McGrath also rounded on the Taoiseach for his election talk. Mr McGrath accused the Taoiseach of arrogance and said he should be concentrating on the economy and not party electioneering.

“The attempts we have seen in recent days from the Taoiseach and others to shape the general election debate around a choice of Fine Gael or Sinn Féin is really demonstrating the arrogance of this Government that they are taking people for granted,” said Mr McGrath. However, Jobs and Enterprise Minister Richard Bruton continued with the Fine Gael strategy, insisting that Sinn Féin would be the other major player at the election and that its policies would damage the recovery.

“Important differences are being set out between the choices that are there,” said Mr Bruton.

“I know I’ve to go to boardrooms in the US and seek to encourage people to invest and they want to see stable public finances.”

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams said his party was ready for a general election as the public wanted to see the back of an incompetent and out-of-touch Government.

Mr Adams said he wanted a campaign based around citizens’ rights.

United Left Alliance TD Joan Collins insisted she would never be able to support an austerity-focused administration after the next general election.

“I can certainly feel that there could be a Fianna Fáil-Fine Gael government after the next election,” said Ms Collins. “My position has been that I would never ever go into government or do any sort of deals with any right-wing government of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.”

Mr White said he expected Labour to be central to any government formation after the next Dáil poll.