Fine Gael and Labour mull over Seanad elections pact

Fine Gael and Labour have held tentative talks on a voting pact for the Seanad elections.

Sources in both the outgoing coalition parties have confirmed to the Irish Examiner that the talks were aimed at winning support from either side for candidates running in different panels. Labour want Fine Gael votes to support the election of former ministers Aodhán Ó Ríordáin in the Industrial and Commercial panel and Kevin Humphreys in the Administrative panel.

Fine Gael are hunting for votes to help elect Senator Jim D’Arcy, Jim Finucane, Mary Howard, Seosamh Ó Laoi, and Linda O’Shea Farren, candidates nominated by outside bodies in the Cultural and Education panel. A senior Fine Gael source said: “Some talks were held with Labour just before Easter, but it’s too early to tell. They need us for two panels, while we need them for one.”