Madam, – Dr Garret FitzGerald’s prediction of the possible distribution of seats in the forthcoming general election (Opinion, December 1st and 4th), shows that some intriguing possibilities may arise when it comes to the formation of the next government.
Up to now the general consensus was that the next government would comprise a coalition between Fine Gael and the Labour party. However, based on Dr FitzGerald’s calculations, other possibilities are now emerging. For example, the combined seats likely to be held by Labour and Fianna Fáil would comprise a majority in the Dáil, but with Labour as the larger party.
This would provide an opportunity for Labour to hold the office of taoiseach for the first time in its history. Is this something Labour would sacrifice to enter coalition with Fine Gael? Indeed, following recent polls, a grand coalition of the republican left involving Labour, Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil becomes a very real possibility.
This will surely not only be a most interesting general election but one which will fashion the shape of Ireland for many years. There is now a real possibility to put an end to the politics of the liberal right that favoured the banks and financial institutions and instead build an Ireland which puts the interests of the people first. – Yours, etc,