Kenny gives FG the call to combat

Fine Gael has put its troops on a war footing ahead of the upcoming election.

Fine Gael has put its troops on a war footing ahead of the upcoming election.

In a booklet prepared for party canvassers, Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny tells them to prepare for a battle as the election looms large.

Mr Kenny has warned them that "the next election will be fought house-to-house, street-to-street, so I'm counting on you to give of your very best to the party in the time ahead."

He advised party activists to keep the canvassing guide "safe but ready-to-hand for the serious business ahead".

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"In a few months, we will offer Ireland an ambitious, competent, confident government to replace an arrogant, disconnected, federation of factions, that's out of order, out of ideas, and increasingly, out of time.

"Ireland deserves a government worthy of its extraordinary people," he continued. "We are that government. Canvassing is your way to make this happen. Be ready to do your bit."

Mr Kenny's message appears in a Fine Gael booklet entitled Canvassing for Results: A Guide for Better Canvassing.

The booklet provides a list of "do's and don'ts" for canvassers. It advises them to always ask for a first preference, to "never leave a door where a first preference is clearly not yours without asking for a second or a third" and to "never leave the doorstep without handing over a piece of literature". It also advises canvassers to "stand back from door & smile" and to "appear interested".

"Be chatty, but get down to business quickly," it urges.

Canvassers are advised to "beware of spoilers (supporters of other parties)" and are told not to "let yourself get trapped" or "to get involved in arguments on the doorstep".

It also tells canvassers not to "waffle", not to "take short cuts over walls or hedges", not "to smoke at the door" and not "to go drinking beforehand".

The key message to get across, the booklet says, is: "The current Government wants 15 years in power. Fine Gael wants a government that keeps its promises, spends your taxes wisely and delivers the services you deserve."