Campaigning steps up for June 11

Campaigning for next month’s triple poll – in the European and local elections and for the referendum on citizenship – intensified among the parties involved today.

The Fianna Fáil party launched its bid to secure a Yes vote in the citizenship plebiscite – designed to clarify laws affecting immigrants - and the Labour, Green and Progressive Democrat groups stepped up efforts to net support in the same day’s European and local contests.

Labour leader Pat Rabbitte urged electors to utilise the Europe and council polling to vote against the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrat Government parties and “reflect the anger felt about their broken promises“.

He kicked off a referee-style “red card” method for canvassers to spell out their grievances about the performance of Taoiseach Bertie Ahern’s coalition, and unveiled a giant mesh banner on Liberty Hall, one of the highest buildings in the centre of Dublin – and a trade union HQ.

But Mr Rabbitte’s move sparked a strong attack on him by Government chief whip Mary Hanafin.

She accused the Labour chief of “running the most negative campaign in Labour’s long history”, adding: “It would be more fitting for Labour to be waving a red flag instead of a red card.”

The Green Party shrugged off a weekend opinion poll indication that they could lose the two European parliament seats won five years ago.

Leader Trevor Sargent insisted his party was in confident and buoyant mood.

And he said of the survey: “We saw similar results in polls taken before the last European elections and still went on to win two seats.

“If it comes down to a choice I believe the voters will choose strong environmental candidates with proven hard working track records.”

“If future generations could talk to the voters today, I bet they would say: ‘For God’s sake please vote Green’.”