Kenny rules out Fine Gael coalition with PDs

Fine Gael party leader Enda Kenny has ruled out going into coalition with the Progressive Democrats after the next general election.

Speaking at the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting in Portlaoise today, Mr Kenny it was his party's job "to knock them out" of office.

He was responding to claims by the Minister for Justice Michael McDowell that Fine Gael party members would prefer the PDs as coalition partners to the Greens and the other partners that they have sought in the past.

Mr Kenny said: "I think it is sad to see a minister of such high office as Michael McDowell hawking his party round the country to see if there is anybody who will take them on board for the purposes of staying in power at all costs."

He said his party was targeting 30 seats, including several prominent PD bases, at the next election.

Mr Kenny said he hoped to increase his party's Dail representation to 62 seats.

The party's finance spokesman Richard Bruton dismissed Government accusations that the alternative rainbow coalition of Fine Gael, Labour and the Greens would increase taxes if elected.

Mr Bruton ruled out increasing personal income taxes, corporation and wealth or property taxes.

The two-day meeting, being held in advance of the forthcoming Dáil session, was addressed by the head of the Health Services Executive (HSE) Professor Brendan Drumm this morning.