LOCAL REACTION TO PROPOSED COALITION GOVERNMENT
FINE GAEL SENATOR SUPPORTS DEAL, BUT CLLR KEELAN IS AGAINST
Cllr Conor Keelan is among those Fianna Fáil Councillors and members across the country opposed to the proposed coalition with Fine Gael and who launched a campaign to stop the deal progressing.
Over 50 Councillors and 1,000 Fianna Fáil members launched a campaigning group last Tuesday to defeat the Programme for Government (PfG) negotiated by Fine Gael, Green Party and the leadership of Fianna Fáíl.
‘We have feared since the start of this process that a continuation of status quo politics is acceptable to those negotiating this agreement on our behalf. The publication of the PfG confirms these fears’.
Speaking about the launch of Fairer Future and the PfG, Cllr Conor Keelan said ‘I find it regrettable that a National Unity Government was not developed. At a time of Crisis and when no-one was the obvious winner in the election it was a good option to pursue. Forcing all parties, including Sinn Féin, traditionally wary of Government and electoral responsibility, to man up would have been a wise course of action.’
Meanwhile former Louth County Councillor and recently elected Senator John McGahon is supporting the proposed deal negotiated by his party Fine Gael.
‘I’m really interested in the Town Centres First policy which includes new Town and Village Renewal scheme along with Town ‘ health check’ to assess what’s required. This will keep town centres vibrant in the age of big retail’, stated Senator McGahon.
Other areas of the programme for government which Senator McGahon finds attrative include,
‘A state backed affordable home purchase scheme with the aim of promoting home ownership for people who have the greatest pressure on their incomes.
‘Fine Gael has insisted on a new Care Deal being included in the Programme for Government. This involves an increase homecare hours and introduce a Statutory Homecare Scheme to support people to live in their own homes. We will also be extending parental leave along with free GP and Dental care to children’.
In terms of Transport, Commission an economic evaluation of higher-speed rail links between our main cities along with €360 million capital budget for walking and cycling are real stand out policies.
The establishment of an independent Electoral Commission to oversee elections, inform the public, and maintain the electoral register.
Many of the councillors supporting the proposed deal have been encouraged by the package for town centres, the plan for housing, the stimulus packages for re-booting the economy following COVID-19.
Notably several members of Louth County Council, principally Fianna Fail have voiced their dissatisfaction at the decision by the party to rule out Sinn Fein from government formation talks, saying that no one should have been excluded.
However Councillor Conor Keelan, has expressed that after nine years of Fine Gael rule Ireland needs real change. ‘ This PfG will not deliver change. It will do nothing to address the quality of life issues facing so many people in Ireland. We’ve seen the reality of Fine Gael in Government and we don’t believe Fianna Fáil should sign up to a deal that means a continuation of the status quo on housing, crime and rural life among other areas. This is not what people voted for’.
Speaking about the upcoming vote, Cllr Keelan said, ‘In addition I don’t consider this proposed arrangement in the interest of Fianna Fáil. We campaigned to remove Fine Gael from Office and during Confidence & Supply many said in the media and elsewhere that there was no discernible difference between either party. This coalition, will only exacerbate this further and lead to problems in determining identity in the short and long-term.”