Prospect of Sinn Fein a senior coalition partner ‘scary’?



A Fine Gael and a Sinn Fein politician in the North West differ on the prospect of Sinn Fein in coalition government in the coming years.

The Taoiseach Enda Kenny is in the headlines today for failing to rule out such a union but many members of his party have spoken out against the idea today.

Speaking to Ocean FM News today, a long-serving Councillor with Fine Gael in Leitrim John McCartin indicated that the reality of a coalition with a party like Sinn Fein would be almost impossible due to the huge shift in policy it would require for Sinn Fein:

Meanwhile,  Sligo Leitrim Sinn Fein TD Martin Kenny says for them influencing policy is the main aim and the only way to achieve that is in government.

When asked by Ocean FM about the party’s aspirations of even being a senior coalition partner in government, Martin Kenny said that hope was made clear before last year’s election and remains the aim.

However, he says while coalition governments are a reality for the future they should involve equal partnership regardless of who is involved:

However, John McCartin says the prospect of Sinn Fein as a senior member in any coalition government is ‘scary’:

Ocean FM News awaits callbacks from Donegal (FG) Minister of State Joe McHugh and Sligo Leitrim Fine Gael TD Tony McLoughlin who were unavailable when contacted earlier today.



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