Even in opposition Fianna Fail will push for painful four year plan

Last night, Minister for Foreign Affairs Micheál Martin said that Fianna Fail in opposition would support any  government that implemented the four-year national recovery plan announced by Mr Lenihan two weeks ago.

Some commentators have said that this indicates that Fianna Fail in opposition will support Fine Gael austerity measures, which they outlined in their pre budget plan at the weekend.

This has gave more credibility to those people who say that Fianna Fail, if badly damaged in the next election, will consider merging with Fine Gael.

"Opposition" party Fine Gael members refuse to vote against budget

Members of Ireland's main opposition party Fine Gael have ruled out voting against the extreme austerity measures in tomorrows budget.

While the Irish people cry out for someone to oppose Fianna Fails reckless budget of cuts, Fine Gael have not been able to insure the support of all their TDs to go against the measures that will be presented tomorrow.

Several Fine Gael TDs, including Lucinda Creighton, have refused to vote against the budget, saying that they agree with the principal of cuts outlined. Ms Creighton, and the other dissenters will not vote against their party in support of the budget however, instead choosing to abstain. This will give Fianna Fail a comfortable majority to pass tomorrow's budget.

Fine Gael: Labour wrong about cuts

Fine Gael frontbench spokesman Leo Varadkar has claimed that Labours plan to go without major cuts in the next budget is not "credible".

Mr Varadkar added that the differences between Fine Gael and Labour were "not insurmountable", but clearly hinted that Labour would have to alter their pre budget plan.

Meanwhile, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore ruled out coalition with Sinn Féin, indicating that he was prepared to make the changes needed to accommodate Fine Gael.

Government without Fianna Fail and Fine Gael "a real possibility"

Political commentators have claimed that for the first time in the history of this state, a government without Fianna Fail or Fine Gael is a real possibility.

Leading commentators have said that a combined coalition of Sinn Féin, Labour and the Green party could now out weight the combined strength of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael.

Ireland has never had a government which did not include one of the two civil war giants.

Fine Gael propose cutting dole - but no cuts to TDs wages

PAY cuts for TDs and ministers are not included in Fine Gael’s four-year budget proposals — despite plans to slash welfare payments by €18 a week.

Enda Kenny has hinted that his party will not touch pensioners or the disabled, but over four hundred and thirty thousand people on the dole will be hit, as will loan parent families.

Labour coalition with Fine Gael looks like unsteady partnership

Today Labour and Fine Gael released their alternative budget plans to the public in Dublin.

Both parties say they would reverse the cut in the minimum wage and increase DIRT tax to get people spending rather than saving. However that is where the similarities end.

 

Fine Gael said a Capital Gains Tax on property sales - including family homes, but not for those in negative equity - should be imposed rather than a property tax. It also said no income tax hikes would take place, though people would pay more with changes to credits and bands from 2012.
The party said it can make more savings through expenditure cuts, but would hike motor tax and increase the price of alcohol.

 

Labour offered a different view, stating no welfare cuts, a new 48% tax rate, higher taxes on second homes and cuts in reliefs are planned.

 

Despite the obvious differences in the two parties proposals, Eamon Gilmore has ruled out a "government of the left", saying he will not enter government with Sinn Féin. This means if they plan on entering government, Labour must do as the junior partner to a Fine Gael party that is very clear in its intention to introduce cuts to welfare.