Fine Gael to maintain political heat on Government

Fine Gael will keep up its attacks on the Government in the coming months.

The move is part of its initial strategy for the local and European elections in 2009.

Fine Gael now finds itself in a four year cul-de-sac of Dáil opposition but yet has to keep up a measured momentum to its attacks on the government to be seen to build on its previous electoral gains.

The local and European elections of 2009 will be an acid test of the party's popularity and Enda Kenny's leadership and should show whether the party has regained the electoral credibility needed for government or punched above its weight last summer and in 2004.

The coming year will see Fine Gael laying the foundations for what it hopes will be consolidation at European level and gains at local level come 2009.