‘Bunker’ mode for Fine Gael as chiefs avoid General Election blame game

Fine Gael’s senior party figures look set to go into ‘bunker’ mode and shy away from any blame game yet as the outgoing coalition as the party dissects the drubbing it received from Irish voters in the election.

With the loss of several ministers; botched vote management in some constituencies; and its hopes of a smooth second term dashed, party figures are now conceding their election message of ‘keeping the recovery going’ was wrong and lacked compassion. It is only a matter of time before Enda Kenny’s leadership of the bruised party is challenged.

Two casualties for the party epitomise the frustration built up over Fine Gael’s five-year term: children’s minister James Reilly and former justice minister Alan Shatter were two who felt the backlash.