Coalition pact with Sinn Féin 'impossible'

LABOUR PARTICIPATION in government with Sinn Féin is a mathematical impossibility and the two parties could never agree on economic…

LABOUR PARTICIPATION in government with Sinn Féin is a mathematical impossibility and the two parties could never agree on economic issues either, party leader Eamon Gilmore has said.

Speaking on a tour of the Wicklow and Wexford constituencies yesterday, Mr Gilmore set out the grounds for dismissing any prospect of his party entering coalition with Sinn Féin.

In the first place, he said, it was “mathematically impossible, it’s really not a runner”. Coalition was also ruled out because of Sinn Féin’s economic policies.

“It’s difficult first of all to understand what they are. Insofar as we do understand what they are, I can’t see how it would be possible to negotiate a programme for government with them.”

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Earlier, Mr Adams challenged Mr Gilmore’s categorical rejection of any alliance with Sinn Féin after the general election.

Mr Adams said Mr Gilmore’s intentions to form a coalition with Fine Gael required potential Labour voters to read the Fine Gael manifesto first.

“Eamon Gilmore has once again made crystal clear that it’s his intention to put Fine Gael into government.

“We have seen many times in the past what this means for ordinary working people – cuts and inequality,” Mr Adams said.

In response Mr Gilmore said: “That sounded to me very much like he is prepared to do a deal with Fianna Fáil.” He also said Labour was the only party in the Dáil that had voted against the bank guarantee.