Kenny hits out at ‘tax and spend’ parties

Taoiseach Enda Kenny has signalled his support for a number of Independent TDs as he warns voters away from backing "tax and spend" parties at the next general election.

In an interview, Mr Kenny also spoke about Fine Gael’s intention to meet the required gender quota for female candidates at the next election.

In a veiled dig at Sinn Féin, who he has said is the main alternative for voters, Mr Kenny said: “So in my view the position becomes very clear in respect of the formation of the next government; it’s a straight question for people... [Do] they want to give a continued opportunity to people who have worked very hard and made a lot of very unpopular decisions and have pulled the country out of the economic swamp that it was in and get on with that?

“Or do they want to hand over responsibility to tax and spend parties where clearly there are serious repercussions? And that’s a choice for the people.”

Speaking before his former junior minister Lucinda Creighton unveiled plans for a new party, Mr Kenny praised non-party TDs, who many speculate will be needed by the main parties to make up the numbers in the next government.

“I might say that a number of the Independent deputies have been quite constructive, in their propositions being put forward here,” said Mr Kenny.

While the Fine Gael leader was not specific in his praise, it has been speculated in recent months that some Independent TDs are intent on forming a group to negotiate with the larger parties after voters go to the polls in the spring of 2016.

Independent TD Shane Ross has contacted councillors who may run in the election and has also held talks with non-party TDs about forming a political block.

It has been suggested that Mr Ross wants a place at the Cabinet table in exchange for any support that helps prop up a government.

There have also been suggestions that Fine Gael is keen to get the support of Stephen Donnelly, Independent Wicklow TD, at the next election, possibly as a party candidate.

Mr Kenny, meanwhile, also said his party’s election strategy is well under way.

“For the Fine Gael party, purely as a political party, I’ve already made a number of changes, with the Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald in charge of the overall direction for that election, with a number of committees serving to her, both in terms of communications, of policy, and of candidates,” Mr Kenny said.

“We will meet the target in respect of the 30% requirement for gender balance here. I’m determined that we would achieve that.”