Election 2024

Opposition rounds on ‘arrogant’ Coalition duo Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael

Sinn Féin leader calls for administration beyond a ‘century of those two parties’ running government

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns at the party's campaign launch: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are 'taking voters for granted'. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns at the party's campaign launch: Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are 'taking voters for granted'. Photograph Nick Bradshaw
Pat Leahy
Sarah Burns
Tue Nov 12 2024 - 19:33

Opposition parties have rounded on Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil for “complacency” and “arrogance”, as campaign events continue countrywide.

Speaking at the launch of her party’s campaign, Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns said there is “an arrogance in the Government parties thinking they have this election sewn up”.

She said that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are “are already talking about the ministerial offices they want to take and when they want to be taoiseach. They’re taking voters for granted.”

Election Daily: has Sinn Féin improved its standing with working class voters?

Listen | 20:51

Labour finance spokesman Ged Nash said: “The complacency with which Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are treating this election campaign smacks of the height of arrogance. This campaign isn’t over and it should be a battle of ideas, not a soundbite slagathon ... Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael should cop on and treat the electorate with the respect they deserve.”

READ MORE

There was further squabbling between the Coalition parties, with Taoiseach Simon Harris critical of a proposal in the Fianna Fail manifesto to decriminalise the possession of some drugs for personal use.

Mr Harris and Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin attended an event at the headquarters of the Irish Farmers’ Association (IFA) on Tuesday. Asked about a possible renewal of the present Coalition with the Green Party after the election, both men were non-committal, with Mr Harris saying he would approach any coalition negotiations “with a very clear agenda that is pro-farming”.

Jennifer Bray from the Irish Times political team looks at what success would look like for the parties of the left in GE24. Video: Enda O'Dowd

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald also addressed the IFA gathering, telling it that carbon taxes — which are especially unpopular among farmers — were a “lazy, thoughtless policy”. Earlier, she told her party’s launch of its affordable housing proposals that she wanted people to offer transfers to “progressive” candidates “on the left”.

She said her party wants a government “beyond” Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and that “after a century of those two parties dominating and running government, that the time is right now for a change”.

Speaking at her party’s event, Ms Cairns said that the election was a choice about who sits at the Cabinet table. But she declined to say if she would take up a cabinet position after the election if the Social Democrats join a coalition government.

Ms Cairns is due to give birth before the election. A spokeswoman said that it was not “a choice between being a minister and being on maternity leave … Holly is eager to serve in any future government provided the Social Democrats have a strong mandate to implement change in key areas.”

Pat Leahy

Pat Leahy

Pat Leahy is Political Editor of The Irish Times

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns

Sarah Burns is a reporter for The Irish Times