The Minister for Foreign Affairs has called on 'disaffected' Labour Party voters to switch their allegiance to Fianna Fáil.
Speaking as the Labour Party opened its annual conference in Dublin today, Dermot Ahern said 'Labour values' were safer with Fianna Fail than in the so-called Mullingar Accord, the election pact between Labour and Fine Gael.
Dermot Ahern
"It is clear that traditional Labour values have been jettisoned by the party leadership. Fine Gael panic policies such as banning hoodies and placing gun-bins in youth clubs now hold sway," Mr Ahern said.
"Labour traditionally demanded a better deal for the poor, a focus on workers rights and a commitment to military neutrality. The Mullingar Accord is a cold house for these values."
Mr Ahern said Labour, while previously "under the sway" of Fine Gael in government, had refused to cut taxes for workers or to make necessary rises for pensioners.
"The bottom line is this: People who think Labour should not vote Fine Gael: a party with minimal history or commitment to delivering for Irish workers or the less well off."
"Lemass always said Fianna Fáil was Ireland's Labour Party. We are the natural home for these disaffected Labour supporters. They should join with us now to make a difference."