Kenny vows to kick out Government

Next year’s General Election will be the keenest-fought contest the country has ever seen and will throw out the Government, it was claimed today.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny insisted voters were weary of the arrogance and broken promises of the current Coalition and wanted a change in administration.

The Mayo TD told his party’s last Ard Fheis before the General Election that Fine Gael could take on Fianna Fail and beat it.

He vowed to delegates in Dublin: “There is one message which I want you to take back to your constituencies, that the next election will be about changing the Government.

“The people of Ireland are tired of this Government. They are weary of its arrogance, weary of its complacency and weary of its failure to deliver decent public services.

“Our chaotic health service, our failing justice system and this Government’s insatiable taste for waste.

“They are the issues where we will be exposing the failures of this Government and setting out our clear, practical, alternative ideas.”

The TD said that the party’s campaign battle cry will be: ’if you want to change this Government, you must vote Fine Gael’.

The main Opposition party had become more professional and competent since it lost 23 Dail seats in the 2003 General Election, he said.

He recalled its success in the local and European elections in 2004 as well as the Meath by-election.

“This Ard Fheis marks the beginning of a 12-month countdown to what is sure to be one of the keenest fought electoral battles this country has ever seen,” he said.

In a reference to junior Government partners, the Progressive Democrats, he remarked: “The electorate will not be fooled by hollow promises from niche, fringe, self-serving parties who want to be on everyone’s side and on no-one’s side.”

Fine Gael aims to spend three million euro on its General Election campaign in coming months to prove it can be a better, alternative administration.

The Ard Fheis, the first in two years, is focusing on problems in crime and health and the Coalition’s perceived waste of tax-payers’ money.

Thousands of delegates will attend the two-day event in the CityWest Hotel, which carries the theme: Change for the Better.

A party spokesman said up to 75% of its General Election candidates have been selected and some will address delegates at the Ard Fheis.

Strategists are focusing on identifying the party with the specific issues of crime, health and Government’s waste – areas where new policy initiatives will be unveiled this weekend.

Mr Kenny said in his opening address that the work with potential coalition partners, Labour, will accelerate in the months ahead.

“The relationship between the two parties has never been stronger. We are united in a common objective – to change this Government,” he vowed.

On the issue of crime, he called for electronic tagging fr offenders released on bail so that the gardai can track their movements.

“Tagging is an effective way for gardai to keep track of individuals and can help prevent future crime,” he said.

Mr Kenny also said Fine Gael was proposing a new Bail Act to help judges decide on bail applications for serious offences.

He also called for a new system for fast-tracking appeals by the DPP to the Court of Criminal Appeal.

Sentencing should also reflect the impact of a crime on its victims, he told delegates.

“I also want the voice of the people to be heard in our courts when sentencing is being decided. This will make sure that judges hear the voice of the people. It will help redress the balance back towards the silent law abiding majority.” he added.

One motion to be debated at the Ard Fheis condemns the Government for paying the bail bond for the Colombia Three last year.

Another from Blackrock, Co Louth deplores the continued involvement of the IRA in organised crime.

After tonight’s opening session on law and order, party leader Enda Kenny will deliver his televised presidential address to delegates tomorow evening.