By-elections pact may signpost general election deal

A voting pact between Fine Gael and Labour in the upcoming by-elections may be a dress rehearsal for a proposed coalition deal prior to the next general election, it was claimed today.

Enda Kenny and Pat Rabbitte today formally launched an expected vote transfer agreement between candidates for the Meath and Kildare North polls on March 11.

Mr Kenny said the pact wasn’t “a programme for government” but he said he wanted to offer the electorate a choice in the next general election.

However he insisted this partnership would be subject to internal agreement within the Labour Party which debates the issue at its annual conference in Tralee in May.

Mr Kenny said: “Over the coming months, we will be working on our individual party positions. In good time before the next general election, we hope to put an agreed programme before the people.”

Mr Rabbitte added: “It is certainly my intention that the people will be offered a choice at the next general election.”

The parties are hoping voters will give their first and second preference to Meath candidates Dominic Hannigan and Shane McEntee and Darren Scully and Paddy McNamara in Kildare North.

A joint statement from the parties said: “The people of Kildare North and Meath are telling us that that they want a better alternative to the tired and arrogant Government we have and that the by-elections are the perfect opportunity to send an unambiguous message to that effect.

“We believe that people should have a strong sense of a real alternative to the present Government and its failed policies. We believe that close co-operation between us is the best way to offer that alternative.

“After eight years in charge, the public have waited too long for this Government to deliver real solutions in crucial areas like childcare, health services, crime and education.

Speaking in Dublin today, Mr Kenny said a lack of proper government investment had resulted in over-crowded classrooms, an ever-present crisis in A&E services, endless commuter frustration and inadequate policing.