Michael McGrath rules out Fianna Fáil—Fine Gael voting pact in next election

Finance Minister said a pre-election manifesto will mark the distinction between the parties, and signalled further increases for pensioners, carers, and families, and tax cuts for workers

Finance Minister Michael McGrath speaking while flanked by party colleagues during Fianna Fail's ard fheis in Dublin. Picture: Gareth Chaney

A voting pact between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael has been strongly ruled out ahead of a general election.

Fianna Fáil's Michael McGrath has said asking people to give their second preference to another party simply doesn't work.

In an interview with the Irish Examiner, the Finance Minister said his party has already started work on a pre-election manifesto which will mark it out from Fine Gael.

Signaling further increases for carers, pensioners, and families, along with tax cuts for workers, Mr McGrath said his party will ensure October's budget will be felt "across society and not by just the few".

With a general election now less than a year away, Mr McGrath ruled out any sort of voting arrangement with Fine Gael.

"I think the days of asking people for a number one for yourself and then asking or telling them 'well, we'd like to number two or three for the other party and for this third party,' I don't think it really works.

People will make up their own mind about the effectiveness and the cohesion of the Government and, if the term of government ends well, then I think people are more likely to transfer between the parties, but there won't be any pact. 

"We'll be contesting it as an independent political party," said Mr McGrath.

The Cork South-Central TD said the Government is now in the process of preparing Budget 2025, which will include a significant tax package and a strong social welfare package.

"For us, social supports, investing in education, providing a secure home, and having a pro-enterprise economy that ensures employment opportunities, is the essence of what we believe in."

Mr McGrath has suggested that one-off payments as well as permanent measure to help with the cost of living will be included in the next budget.

"The social welfare and income tax packages helped people to manage the impact of inflation. In the next budget, we will again prioritise carers, pensioners, families, and people with a disability.

"In the last budget, we reduced the tax burden for low- and middle-income earners and we accomplished this by implementing the first cut in USC rates in five years, increasing tax credits, and lifting the entry point to the higher rate of income tax.

"In this autumn’s budget, we will again have a substantial income tax package."