FG targets 30 more seats in General Election

Fine Gael plotted its campaign to form the next government today by targeting 30 extra seats at the general election.

Party leader Enda Kenny said June’s local and European election results were a victory for the people and “a vote for change”.

Rousing his TDs and senators at a parliamentary party meeting in Kilkenny, Deputy Kenny declared: “We’re on an election footing and we must be focussed and strategic.”

Speaking about the recent Mullingar Accord deal with Labour, he added: “I have committed to working with the Labour Party to build a political platform which will provide a better Government after the next election.”

Fine Gael began its two-day parliamentary party think-in in Kilkenny after being boosted by the decision of Wexford Independent, Dr Liam Twomey to join the party.

Mr Kenny said his front bench would be reshuffled soon, following the election of Gay Mitchell and Simon Coveney as MEPs, and the appointment of Mr John Bruton as EU representative in Washington.

Mr Kenny said yesterday that although Dr Twomey would make a good spokesman on health or other areas, he had not promised the new TD a portfolio nor had one been sought by him.

Mayo TD Michael Ring said of the rejuvenated party: “We’ve gone through difficult times and the media had written us off.

“But we plan to turn our councillors into TDs at the next election and prove to the people that we’re a credible alternative government.”

Party justice spokesman Jim O’Keeffe said next week’s cabinet reshuffle would be “just shifting the deck chairs on the Titanic” and that it will be the “same old Government behind all the spin doctoring”.