FINE GAEL IS READY to fight for fourth term in government, according to Enterprise Minister Simon Coveney.
There was applause from party members during the minister’s opening speech at the special conference in Maynooth this morning, when Coveney said “as we move towards the end of a third term in government, we’re up for fighting for a fourth”.
He told the packed room that next year is an election year, with local elections and European elections on the cards and “a general election at some point within the next 15 months”.
In a rallying call to members, the deputy leader said next year is “such an important year” where the public will make “big, big decisions in terms of the shape of Irish politics in the future”.
Coveney described next year as a “watershed moment in Irish politics”.
“This party needs to take its place at the center of that debate and have confidence that our record in government is something that we can sell and be proud of.
“This country isn’t perfect, it never will be. There will always be things to achieve, there will always be new challenges that will come out of left field like Covid did, like Brexit did, like the war in Ukraine,” he added.
Coveney went on to stated:
“The only way our arguments win is if all of us are saying the same things and backing each other up and contradicting the conspiracy theorists that are out there that want to try and undermine the rational, positive, responsible politics that Fine Gael leads every single day of the week.”
Today’s party conference, which is discussing farming and future generations, food security, how to build stronger communities and the party’s framework, is an opportunity to listen to party members.
Coveney said his party “unlike some other parties… listen to our members and in many ways they decide the future”, adding that Fine Gael is a “vibrant” and “diverse” party.
“A lot of other parties are trying to carve out an electoral advantage by actually sowing division in our society. This is a party [Fine Gael] that wants to try to build consensus, that wants to actually dominate the centre of politics, on the back of evidence and data, and what’s good for communities and families and career opportunities,” he told the room.
With local and European elections taking place next year, there is expected to be a natural focus on candidate selection, particularly due to Fine Gael MEP for Ireland South Deirdre Clune confirming this week that she will not contest the European elections next time round.
It was a second blow to the party in recent days, with Dublin MEP and former Minister Frances Fitzgerald also confirming that she will not run again.
Coveney paid tribute to both women, stating that they need strong people in Europe, adding that there is no shortage of people in the party willing to take their place. He also spoke of Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe’s strong reputation in Europe, leading the Eurogroup.
Earlier this week, Donohoe ruled out a run for Europe, stating that he is committed to running in the next general election.
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