Arklow Fianna Fáil Councillor lets the mask slip on coalition with Fine Gael

Sinn Féin County Councillor John Brady has stated that comments made by Arklow Fianna Fáil County Councillor Pat Fitzgerald regarding going into coalition with Fine Gael after the next election are the reason the electorate don't trust most politicians. His comments are also further evidence that there is no difference between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael and they should stop trying to fool people and merge.

Councillor Brady said "I was surprised but not shocked when I heard the comments from Arklow Fianna Fáil councillor Pat Fitzgerald when he let the mask slip and stated that if the figures stacked up after the next election he believes Fianna Fáil will enter a coalition with Fine Gael and form a Government. His comments certainly call into question the sincerity of statements made by Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin who said that option out was ruled out."

Brady continued "It reminds me of the comments Labour TD Pat Rabbitte made when questioned about promises Labour had made prior to the last election and subsequently broken he said 'Isn't that what you tend to do during an election."

"Fine Gael along with the Labour Party in Government have introduced many austerity polices that have hammered ordinary families. Many of the policies such as water charges were designed by Fianna Fáil, so it comes as no surprise to me that Fianna Fáil Councillors such as Pat Fitzgerald would see Fine Gael as a party they could prop up in Government and enter a coalition with, as in essence they are two sides of the one coin."

Councillor Brady went onto say "We need honesty in politics, not doing and saying things simply to get into power. Councillor Fitzgerald's comments give us a glimpse at how the establishment parties view the electorate and elections. This however doesn't come as a surprise because here in Wicklow Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have for many years carved up control of Wicklow County Council and continuously support each other's policies and budgets."

Cllr Brady concluded "There are no political or policy differences between the conservative parties of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael either at a local or national level. They should stop trying to fool the electorate and merge." Ends