No coaltion with Sinn Féin: Kenny
Sunday, 11 January 2004 21:02
The leader of Fine Gael, Enda Kenny, has ruled out going into coalition with Sinn Féin following the next General election.
Speaking on RTÉ's This Week programme, Mr Kenny said alleged connections between Sinn Féin and republicans involved in organised crime should be investigated by the Criminal Assets Bureau.
Mr Kenny also said some form of arrangement would be worked out by Fine Gael and the Labour Party to offer the electorate an alternative government.
He added that his party would not contest the presidential election if the current President, Mary McAleese decided to seek a second term.
Sinn Féin's Caoimhghin O Caolain said Mr Kenny' remarks pointed to the failure of Fine Gael to provide any real alternative to what he called the conservative policies of the Fianna Fáil/PD government.
