Minister warns snap election would suit Independents and SF
A Government minister is predicting that six Sinn Fein and Independent TDs would be returned to the Dail on the western seaboard if a snap election was called.
Minister for the Marine Frank Fahey says such a move would lead to political instability similar to that seen in the 1980s.
Speaking at the International Humber School in Mayo, Minister Fahey claimed the current trend would lead to Independents and Sinn Fein holding the balance of power in the 29th Dail.
Minister Fahey also warned that the second Tipperary bye-election sounded a wake-up call for all political parties.
“We now have a loose group of people in Ireland whose main political policy platform is telling people what they want to hear, assisted by the acquiescence of a sympathetic media, hungry for bad news and controversies,” he said, “Thus, it’s an easy task to turn so-called ‘people power’ into an Independent of Sinn Fein TD.”
The Marine Minister added that one need just “find a sexy single issue, get the support of the Irish media who are desperate to give a kick up the transom to the main political parties and bingo! – you’re on a winner.
It’s probably safer than trying to predict the winner of the Galway Plate.”
