Two-term coalition possible, says Ruairí Quinn

A senior Labour Minister has indicated his party is willing to serve a second term in a coalition with Fine Gael if the numbers are right after a general election.

Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn told The Irish Times that if both parties wanted this scenario, it would be the first time a Fine Gael and Labour coalition would have served successive terms.

It is the first occasion in which a senior Minister from Labour has raised the possibility of a second term in government.

“It’s certainly the intention of both parties to serve a second term together if that is the wish of the electorate,” said Mr Quinn. “I believe that what we have achieved together in Government will be acknowledged [by the electorate].”

Positive
He was speaking ahead of tomorrow's Labour national conference in Enfield, Co Meath. While he said he would stop short of saying his party had "turned a corner" after the first two years in Government – which he acknowledged were very difficult – he said the indications were more positive for the party than a year ago.

It comes after the party has lost six of its parliamentarians over controversial policy issues and after some of its councillors have resigned from the party.

Mr Quinn's comments will be seen as an indication that the party's mood is more buoyant now than at this juncture last year when Labour had a dismal byelection in Meath East, finishing fifth.

"There has never been a situation in the past where Fianna Fáil was so weakened and so low in numbers that they would not sweep back into government after Fine Gael and Labour had cleaned up the country.

“I certainly cannot forecast how [the decision will be made],” he said, adding that the party intends to serve a second term if the circumstances dictate. Mr Quinn said from its foundation Labour had never refused to serve in government.

'Sought power'
"We have sought power and office to implement our policies and to make the best of the circumstances on the ground," he said, citing the governments of 1948 and 1973 as examples.

Mr Quinn claimed he had achieved more reform in education in three years than had been achieved over the previous 13 years. He said there had never been an agreement that he would resign from his position in mid-term.