Taoiseach Bertie Ahern has said that he would accept Sinn Féin support for a minority Fianna Fáil government after the next general election, but that he would not agree any deal with them in return for votes. Mark Hennessy, Political Correspondent, reports.
"I don't think it would be reasonable for somebody to go in and say that you wouldn't take support from a party. We will not, in Fianna Fáil, enter into coalition discussions, or a pact with Sinn Féin," he said yesterday.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny last night accused Mr Ahern of making a "dramatic new shift", since the Fianna Fáil leader had said in November 2005 that he would lead his party to the Opposition benches rather than accept Sinn Féin support.
At that time, Mr Ahern, in a statement released to the Sunday Independent, and which did not address the possibility of Sinn Féin support without a pact, had said: "In such circumstances, I would lead my party into Opposition rather than contemplate coalition with Sinn Féin or an arrangement for their support in Government."
In his statement last night, Mr Kenny said Mr Ahern's remarks "confirm that Fianna Fáil will not hesitate in these circumstances to cede controlling interest to Sinn Féin in support of a Fianna Fáil or Fianna Fáil/PD minority government. On behalf of Fine Gael let me repeat my position on this matter. Fine Gael will have no truck with Sinn Féin in government. I disagree completely with the Taoiseach's contention that the only impediment to serving in government is their economic policy."
He added: "While I acknowledge the progress made by Sinn Féin in recent years, this party has, in my view, yet to complete its journey to full democracy. Sinn Féin has yet to declare its full support for the police and judicial systems in Northern Ireland and in this State.
"A number of major crimes perpetrated by the IRA, such as the Northern Bank Robbery, and the McCartney and Rafferty murders, have yet to be resolved. There is also the issue of the 'On-the-Runs' and others still being sought for other serious crimes that have yet to be addressed.
"Sinn Féin is also continuing to seek the release from prison of a number of people who have been convicted of serious offences in this jurisdiction. In my view it would be completely unacceptable for any potential government to be beholden to Sinn Féin and I will not allow this to happen. The choice now being offered to the public is clear. People can vote for a Fianna Fáil/Sinn Féin government or they can vote for a Fine Gael/Labour alternative," said Mr Kenny.
Meanwhile, Progressive Democrats leader Michael McDowell has ruled out an alliance with Fine Gael - which rejected the possibility last week of any role for the PDs - and Labour: "They have made their bed, let them lie on it," he said.
Keeping all of his coalition options open, Mr Ahern, speaking on RTÉ's This Week radio programme, insisted his "preferred option" is for a renewal of the FF/PD alliance.
He said his objections to Sinn Féin are now based upon their economic policies, although he said the party deserved credit for supporting the IRA's disarmament and committing to completely peaceful means.