The Progressive Democrats have dismissed a call from a Fianna Fáil backbencher that the party consider entering government with Sinn Féin if the IRA disbands, writes Arthur Beesley, Political Reporter.
PD Senator Mr John Minihan said Sinn Féin's "Marxist" policies would spell disaster for the Irish economy. His comments came in response to those of East Cork Fianna Fáil TD Mr Ned O'Keeffe, who said he would have "no difficulty" if his party entered government with Sinn Féin.
Mr O'Keeffe said he did not believe a period of decontamination would be required if the IRA disbanded before Sinn Féin could enter government, adding that he did not have a problem with Sinn Féin's links with the Provisional IRA.The Fianna Fáil TD said the IRA was "progressing rapidly in the right direction" on the question of "punishment" beatings. He also noted the party's 12 per cent support rating in the recent Irish Times/TNSmrbi opinion poll, which he said was well in excess of any of the other smaller parties.
But Mr Minihan said Sinn Féin's economic policies would scare international investors if the party entered government in the Republic. "It would be hello emigration, bye-bye employment," he said.
He questioned Sinn Féin's calls for a review of the corporate tax rate and increases in capital gains tax and employers' PRSI. He also cast doubt on suggestions by the party's agriculture spokesman, Mr Martin Ferris, that the State should buy agricultural land for redistribution to farmers.
In response, Mr O'Keeffe said he had no problem with Sinn Féin's economic stance because fiscal policy in any programme for government would have to be in line with EU rules.
He said he believed that Sinn Féin would be prepared to compromise with Fianna Fáil on economic policy in negotiations.
Mr O'Keeffe's remarks followed further efforts to distance the Government and Fianna Fáil from comments made by the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Dermot Ahern, who talked positively of Sinn Féin entering government with his party.
The Minister for Defence, Mr O'Dea, yesterday became the latest senior Fianna Fáil figure to say that Sinn Féin would not be ready to enter government for some time. "As Minister for Defence in charge of the Irish Army, the legal Army in this country, I could certainly never imagine myself sitting down at Cabinet with people who are still maintaining an illegal army," he said yesterday on RTÉ radio.
"If all their arms were put out of use and if the army was disbanded, the illegal army, and Sinn Féin became truly democratic, then the situation would change. But we are some way away from that as yet."
Mr Minihan's comments were described as a "hysterical diatribe" by the Sinn Féin TD, Mr Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin. He said inequality in society had become more widespread under the PDs, adding that, "unlike the Progressive Democrats, Sinn Féin received an increased mandate from the electorate in the local and European elections".
Mr O'Caolain also told RTÉ Prime Time last night that Sinn Féin would go into Government at some stage in the future.