Fine Gael to agree to Labour calls for change of direction

Labour Party demands to "renew" the direction of Government after this month's elections will be acceded to by Fine Gael, senior figures in the party have said.

Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore yesterday delivered what was seen as a "shot across the bows" of Fine Gael when he called for a substantial "renewal of purpose" for the Government.

Mr Gilmore indicated that his party will press for this major change in direction for Government during the course of his speech at Labour's annual 1916 commemoration in Arbour Hill yesterday. While stopping short of calling for a renegotiation of the programme, Mr Gilmore said discussions and agreement would be required to deal with a new set of issues that have emerged in the wake of the departure of the troika.

Gilmore's call
Mr Gilmore's call came as part of a co-ordinated strategy by Labour this weekend to press for a change of focus in Government following the major political crisis that surrounded the resignation of Alan Shatter as minister for justice. Another senior Labour Minister and close ally of the Tánaiste, Pat Rabbitte, used similar language about the need for renewal yesterday. He said something must be done to arrest the drift that has occurred following the troika's departure. Among the suggested changes are a commitment to no more taxes or charges, to arrest spending cuts, to deal with the issue of housing, to refocus on job creation, and to protect people's incomes.

A senior Fine Gael Minister said last night that there was a strong case for renegotiation of the programme. “It’s pretty normal for a government to review the programme at mid-term,” said the Minister, who spoke on the basis of not being named.

"Some things have been completed and some targets are out of date or might no longer be necessary or a priority. The thing we do not want is to have to renegotiate it in a very public way. The last thing you want is a stand-off on who is going to get what.

'Renewal'
"Fine Gael would go down that route cautiously but certainly there's a need for renewal. The case is stronger because the last few months have not been good for the Government." In his speech Mr Gilmore said "people in the middle and on the margins" should now benefit. He said the focus should be on jobs, wages and ensuring people had homes.

Mr Gilmore said his concept of renewal would “involve discussion with our Coalition partners but I think what we have to do is look at the problems facing people today”.