Labour edge closer to agreeing votes pact with FG

Labour edged a step closer to agreeing a vote-transfer pact with Fine Gael ahead of the looming election as Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan refused to rule out the contentious move.

However, expressing caution within the junior coalition partner that it does not want to be swamped by Fine Gael, Ms O’Sullivan said the priority was to emphasise Labour’s own image to the electorate.

TDs are split on the issue of a formal pact with Fine Gael as those opposed point to the 2007 general election when the Mullingar Accord between the parties was seen to have damaged Labour’s vote share.