Minister for Agriculture Simon Coveney has said he would not be happy to rely on the support of Independent TD Michael Lowry to get back into government, and he believed his view was shared by most in Fine Gael.
“No, I wouldn’t be happy [with Lowry support]. I don’t think anyone in Fine Gael would be happy with that. That is why we don’t want to have to be relying on Independents including Michael Lowry,” said Mr Coveney.
“I don’t think that anybody in Fine Gael wants to be in government with Michael Lowry or any other Independent...I can tell you the Taoiseach and Fine Gael in general do not want to be relying on Independents for all the reasons that have been covered in the media.”
Speaking in Cork where he announced 130 new jobs at business process provider Abtran, Mr Coveney said he was not going to speak about each Independent but he did not think it was "healthy for democracy for governments to be relying on Independents".
“The idea that you would potentially have to be asked to cut deals with Independents who are really only interested in their own local constituencies, I don’t think that is good for national politics.”
He played down reports of a rift between Fine Gael and Labour over the date for the election based on a claim that Fine Gael wants to hold it on Thursday, February 25th, to accommodate rugby fans going to the Ireland vs England game in Twickenham on Saturday, February 27th.
According to the same media report, Labour and Minister for the Environment Alan Kelly want to hold the election on Friday, February 26th, to allow third-level students to return home to vote in their local constituencies.
Mr Coveney said he did not believe there was any substance to the story. “I think it was all a ball of smoke, to be honest with you. I have been in contact with the Taoiseach over the weekend about other things. I’ve certainly no evidence of any row about dates,” said Mr Coveney, adding he believed Labour had “a really good conference” and were improving in the polls.
“That is a good thing as far as Fine Gael are concerned. We, in Fine Gael, are really looking forward to getting on with the general election. I think both Government parties are anxious to get on with the election, and I don’t sense any friction between the two parties at all.”
He expected that Mr Kenny has already spoken to Tánaiste and Labour leader Joan Burton about when the election will be held, and he expected Mr Kenny to inform his Cabinet colleagues at tomorrow's Cabinet meeting.
“The Taoiseach has kept this decision very close to his chest. I don’t think there will be any massive surprises tomorrow. I think everybody knows that this election will be done and dusted this month. It is just a question of finalising the date at this stage.”
