The Government faces an uphill battle to return to power due to its failure to resolve issues such as the problems in the health service, a Fianna Fáil TD claimed yesterday.
Speaking to RTÉ Radio, Noel O'Flynn TD, who is contesting a seat in the Cork North Central constituency, added that among the other key issues coming up at the doorsteps is Cork airport.
"A number of issues have been raised on the doorstep and one of these is the health services, that we have failed to deliver on the health services," he said. "And indeed, Cork airport is one that is coming up a lot, we made a promise. We didn't commit to that promise yet, and I'm asking and hoping that the Government will deliver on that as quickly as possible."
Asked if he thought people were right to highlight these issues, he said: "Absolutely. This is going to be the most difficult election that I've ever faced. I have to tell you that the Fianna Fáil vote is holding up, but I'm worried about the floating vote. And, therefore, there are issues that haven't been addressed, must be addressed, and the public of this city and county are quite right to rebuke us at the doors.
"We've had our warnings in the 2004 local elections and unless this manifesto today is going to turn things around, then we have an uphill battle to return to power, and indeed to retain all of our seats here in Cork city and county."
Calling for a "root and branch" overhaul of the health system, Mr O'Flynn said the Government had "failed to grapple" with the issue.
"The Government has not resolved the problems. It's taking too long and there are pressures and demands on the health system which require immediate attention, but we cannot seem to break the logjam with those that are working in the the health system."
Asked about Mr O'Flynn's criticism of the party's record in Government, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told RTÉ that Mr O'Flynn was "always a good one to catch publicity" and he wished him well.
"I wish Billy well too," he said, referring to the second Fianna Fáil TD in the constituency, Billy Kelleher.
Mr O'Flynn was out canvassing yesterday evening and last night and could not be contacted for a response to Mr Ahern's comments.
Meanwhile, Fine Gael's Bernard Allen accused Mr O'Flynn of trying to distance himself from the Government's management of the health service after spending the past 10 years telling the people of Cork North Central how close he was to the Taoiseach.
"He always claims to have the ear of the Taoiseach - we've had statement after statement telling us how close he is to Bertie Ahern and now after 10 years being close to the seat of Government, he's now washing his hands of Government, Pontius Pilate style," he said.
One source in Cork speculated last night that it was no coincidence Mr O'Flynn chose to make his comments just a day after former Fianna Fáil councillor Dave McCarthy resigned from the party to run as an Independent in Cork North Central.