Election battle lines drawn

Election battle lines drawn


Edwin McGreal

AS Friday’s local and European elections draw closer, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny and his fellow Mayo TD, Government Minister of State Dara Calleary have clashed over the performance of the Fianna Fáil government.
Kenny has dismissed as ‘absolute rubbish’ claims by Calleary that Fine Gael and Labour could not provide an alternative government due to their differences on economic policy.
“Fianna Fáil and the Green Party had two diametrically opposite stands on the economy before their programme for government. Brian Cowen said that Fianna Fáil were the only party capable of running the economy.
“Since he has taken over unemployment has risen to three times what it was and we have the highest level of personal debt in the world. They’re floundering around as if they have just woken up to the reality of the crisis they have our country in.”
However Calleary has responded by saying a Fine Gael/Labour coalition would be ‘outrageous’.
“The alternative is not adding up. The two main opposition parties are so diametrically opposed on economic issues - not to mention anything else - that any notion of the two agreeing a common strategy is so outrageous as to be unthinkable.”
With government approval ratings at an all time low for the current administration there is little doubt that Enda Kenny’s Fine Gael have never had a better chance to take advantage.
“People are fed up with the current government and they want change. Fine Gael will win the next General Election and we will work for the benefit of the State, unlike Fianna Fáil who work solely for the benefit of their own party. I’m prepared to take charge in the morning.”
Dara Calleary, who was canvassing with Councillor Tim Quinn in Erris when The Mayo News spoke to him yesterday (Monday), defended the Government from the backlash they’ve received in recent weeks.
“There is a backlash, there’s no point saying otherwise. People are worried, that is the biggest thing. That worry is stated in anger on the doorstep but when you go through it with them they are looking for a sense of direction.
“Before Fianna Fáil might have been accused of putting the best interests of the party first but we certainly cannot be accused of that this time around. The one per cent levy is a case in point. We implemented that in May - we could have held back until after the elections but we’ve the country’s interest at heart.”
Polling booths are open on Friday next from 7am to 10pm and the ballot boxes will be opened at the Count Centre at the TF Royal Hotel at 9am on Saturday morning. There is expected to be significant international media interest in the European Count for Ireland North West at the same venue on Sunday, with attention focussing on Libertas founder Declan Ganley.