Cork City Cllr Chris O’Leary of Sinn Fein has accused the Labour Party of hypocrisy for being prepared to vote in a Fianna Fail Lord Mayor of Cork in June while their national leadership is ruling out coalition with the party. He also reiterated that Sinn Féin will not prop up either Fianna Fail or Fine Gael in government.
Cllr O’Leary said:
“Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has loudly ruled out going into government with Fianna Fáil. Yet in a few months’ time Labour members on Cork City council will vote in a Fianna Fáil Lord Mayor.”
“They will do so under the terms of their pact with Fianna Fail and Fine Gael on the council. But how can they reconcile this with their stated opposition to the government’s policies or their leader’s position on coalition with Fianna Fail?”
“Unlike Labour, Sinn Féin will not prop up either conservative party – Fianna Fail or Fine Gael – in government. Here in Cork our party has consistently opposed the efforts of the pact parties to stifle debate on Cork City Council and has provided the only real opposition. Labour on the other hand seems happy to support the status quo in return for a share of perks and perquisites.”
“If the Labour Party wants to be taken seriously as offering an alternative, I challenge them act consistently with the leader’s position on coalition and to vote against the installation of a Fianna Fáil Lord Mayor in June.”
For further information or comment contact Cllr Chris O’Leary @ 087-2794307
