Fine Gael strategists have devised a three-pronged plan for the final four days of the campaign in a bid to maximise the party’s performance in Friday’s general election, writes Conor McMorrow of our political staff.
Firstly, party strategists will instruct that a system of "vote management" is employed in 20 selected constituencies in order to "re-balance" the vote.
Secondly, since the outset of the campaign the party has prided itself for having a number of "big-hitter" ministers that can be sent out to bat for the party in media debates.
For the final days of the campaign, the party’s "key ministers" will be "deployed in their own constituencies and adjoining constituencies to save seats" and shore up support.
Thirdly, the Taoiseach has a busy week as he will be interviewed by Bryan Dobson as part of the RTÉ Six-One news series of party leader interviews tomorrow night and he will feature in the final Prime Time leaders' debate with the three other main party leaders on Tuesday night.
"He will then engage in a whistle-stop tour of some constituencies on Wednesday and Thursday."
The Taoiseach gave a rabble-rousing speech at the party’s election headquarters in Dublin this afternoon in front of candidates and supporters.
He pursued attacks on Fianna Fáil with a rallying cry to the Fine Gael party faithful.
He said, "When you go to battle with those who say, 'we were in charge for 14 years and now we are ready again to take charge'. They wrecked the house before and now they are back to say 'we are clean again. We have been absolved. Everything is fine. Give us a chance'."
Then Mr Kenny raised his voice and shouted: "Don’t give them the chance this time. Because they’ve got to earn it and you won’t earn it by false figures and you won’t earn it by hypocrisy and you won’t earn it by reversing engines."
He added: "Mícheál Martin believes in water charges. His programme was for a €400 flat charge with no reduction."
He accused Fianna Fáil of "hype" and "false figures" that will not stand up. Concluding his attack on Fianna Fáil he added that he understands that "half the Fianna Fáil party might like to form a government with the Sinn Féin party and you can understand yourself what is out in front of us".
He said his proposition is for the people to re-elect the government "for a further five years and let’s finish the job they gave us a mandate to do five years ago".
Tomorrow morning’s IPSOS-MRBI opinion poll for The Irish Times, should give us an indicator if the Taoiseach’s proposition will come to fruition.
