Fine Gael and Labour will not agree a joint Programme for Government in advance of the next general election, the parties' leaders made clear following preliminary discussions yesterday.
Speaking while having his picture taken at a Dublin city restaurant, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said: "We are not into gimmickry here. What we will be doing is setting out our own stall. This was a preliminary meeting. We agreed that we would meet again before the end of the summer recess."
The meeting between Mr Kenny and Labour leader Pat Rabbitte produced little of substance and had more to do with the parties' need to capture the media agenda now that the Dáil is not sitting. Nevertheless, it clearly irked Fianna Fáil, who produced a checklist of policies where it alleged that Fine Gael, Labour and the Greens - who will be needed if a rainbow administration is to be formed - are clearly in disagreement.
However, the Fine Gael leader was careful to avoid repeating his desire for both parties to agree on candidate lists in key constituencies where competition between the parties could cost them seats.
"We made it clear that Fine Gael will stand its own candidates and run them as hard as we can and that the Labour Party would do the same. But what we want out of that is to maximise the transfer vote between the two parties.
"On the broad issues, there will be a statement of intent. The minutiae and details would be reserved for the Programme for Government. On the major issues that affect Irish society and Irish life today we will agree a statement," Mr Kenny said.
Questioned about the level of agreement that exists between the parties on policies, the Labour leader said Fine Gael and Labour would agree "a statement of intent that will set out the broad orientation of an alternative government. Both parties will campaign on their own platforms to maximise their own seats as well as the transfer rate between the two parties.
"I think the achievable thing is to put together a programme for a different and better government. Of course there are some differences between the parties, naturally enough, but I think there are certain big issues that need to be tackled by common consent. We have a successful economy. We don't have a successful society. This was a preliminary meeting.
"We did not get deeply into any policy issues today. A detailed Programme for Government is something to be embarked on after the votes are counted. The process will have to work itself out and there will be liaison between the two leaders' offices," Mr Rabbitte said.
Rejecting charges that voters would not have enough information, Mr Kenny said there were "clearly differences" on policies between all parties.
"But we can point to the past record of Labour and Fine Gael in government and where there were differences of opinion - and there were - they were resolved by collective responsibility." In a bid to take the gloss off Fine Gael and Labour, Minister for the Environment Dick Roche said voters were no wiser about their combined policies "almost a year since they self importantly proclaimed their Mullingar accord".
"All we have had is a negative alliance, based on what they are against not what they are for. Today the two leaders continue with their cynical strategy of choreography without substance. Another picture opportunity.Photos developed but no policy developed," Mr Roche added.
