Coalition starts push for second term
As the Government faced criticism of its four years in power, Taoiseach Enda Kenny said he would not destabilise the country by agreeing to calls for an early general election next year. But he also said the Coalition had made mistakes.
His defence comes as gardaí prepare to mount a ring of steel around Leinster House today ahead of a protest against water charges.
But ministers used yesterday’s debate on confidence in Mr Kenny and the Fine Gael-Labour government to turn the attack on Sinn Féin, which originally listed a no-confidence motion. Referring to recent claims of cover ups of sexual abuse by republicans, Defence Minister Simon Coveney alleged that Sinn Féin was protecting offenders.
“Sinn Féin talks about transparency, fairness, new politics and of course its Ireland of equals, yet it protects its own hard men, some of whom are rapists and child abusers.”
Mr Kenny said he would not create instability by calling an early general election. He said dole queues were shortening and workers would feel some benefit in their pockets next year. However, he acknowledged that the Coalition had made mistakes along the way and would do better in the future.
“My preference for Government after the election in 2016 is for a continuation of the coalition of Fine Gael and Labour that has restored our economic sovereignty.”
Government ministers circled the wagon during the three-hour debate with Tánaiste Joan Burton praising Mr Kenny as she dismissed reports of a crisis among the Coalition.
“The Taoiseach is a man of integrity and has nothing other than the best interests of the country at heart,” she told the debate.
Ms Burton also said the country would be served best if the current Coalition is re-elected in 2016.
However, Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin accused the Coalition of being “arrogant, out of touch and out of control” as he listed budget cuts and failings during its near four-year term. He said Mr Kenny was “the least accessible Taoiseach of modern times” when it comes to media interviews.
Mr Adams used his speech to outline Government cuts applied to respite care, fuel and telephone allowances and medical card services for the terminally ill. His deputy leader Mary Lou McDonald called on Mr Kenny to resign and for an immediate general election.
Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin said Mr Kenny would go down “as one of the finest” taoisigh in history, and said he had been proud to have served in the Government.
The motion of confidence in Mr Kenny and the Coalition was passed in the Dáil.
