Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil attacks on Sinn Féin move into a higher gear

Good morning and welcome to Wednesday’s election digest.
With the publication of Sinn Féin’s manifesto on Tuesday, almost all parties have their cards on the table – Fianna Fáil, and Fine Gael in particular, took the chance to move their attacks on Sinn Féin into a higher gear.
In truth, the manifestos will be (and should be) taken with a large pinch of salt by the electorate – they skim over the complexities of policymaking and government and assume the best possible outcome. As Pat Rabbitte once said, “isn’t that what you do during an election?”
But they aren’t meaningless, either. In addition to being an electoral shop window, they allow for comparisons between parties and to project forward on where there might be clear agreement, fudges, or irreconcilable differences. They are also the raw ingredients for government formation talks, where red lines are drawn, and once enmeshed together, come out the other side as a programme for government.
Cliff Taylor’s analysis of the manifestos this morning is essential reading.
The manifestos, of course, are also an opportunity for the parties to knock seven shades of unmentionable out of each other for purposes of political point scoring – something both Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil did to Sinn Féin on Tuesday, after a week of unloading on each other. Childcare, Ukraine, interference with RTÉ, defamation, economic credibility, energy bills, provision for pensioners and accusation of a “piggy bank heist” flew at Sinn Féin, as we detail in our lead story today.
All but one of these accusations were issued by Fine Gael – whose press office pumped out five statements slating Sinn Féin in a little over five hours. That’s an attacking gusto we haven’t seen since, eh, last week when they were going after Fianna Fáil. The campaign has been tricky for Fine Gael so far, with a polling stumble as it was landed with the John McGahon and Michael O’Leary controversies. It will target Sinn Féin again this morning at a doorstep with Paschal Donohoe and Peter Burke – as the campaign wears on, it looks like nearly all its fire will be trained on the party. It still has an enviable six point lead on Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, but during Monday evening’s debate, Simon Harris looked occasionally tetchy and defensive (one nitpicking exchange over whether his literal signature was on the children’s hospital deal stood out). The new energy might not have run out, but the party will hope the shine doesn’t come off its new team just at the wrong time.
Away from the campaign trail, Cabinet is meeting at 9.30am, where Harris will outline plans for a “Brexit-type” response to protect Ireland from future economic shocks – he is expected to tell Ministers there is a “challenging time ahead” for Ireland’s economic security.
Sinn Féin launches its proposals for people with disabilities at 10am, with Fingal TD Louise O’Reilly leading the charge alongside Dublin South Central candidate Cllr Daithí Doolan and its Dún Laoghaire candidate Shane O’Brien.
Tipperary TD Alan Kelly will launch Labour’s crime and garda recruitment policy outside Kevin Street Garda station in Dublin at 10.45am.
Across town at the same time, the Social Democrats launch their “Positive Neutrality” policy at the Garden of Rememberance.
At 11am, People Before Profit leader Richard Boyd Barrett will hold a briefing with other candidates on the party’s commitments on solidarity with Palestine, the Occupied Territories Bill and the US military in Shannon.
Micheál Martin and Minister of State for Disability Anne Rabbitte will launch Fianna Fáil’s plan to support people with a disability tomorrow, along with Dublin South Central candidate Catherine Ardagh. That’s at 11.30am.
Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman will speak about the party’s plans for a children’s charter in Blakestown, alongside its candidate in Dublin Mid West candidate Karla Doran.
Mary Lou McDonald will be in Virgin Media for an hour long interview, aired live from 10pm.
Jennifer Bray on Sinn Féin’s back to basics approach.
Sarah Burns from the campaign trail.
John McGahon divides opinion in Dundalk.
Kathy Sheridan on Helen McEntee and accusations of “woke” politics.
Michael McDowell on the structure of the next government.
Bertie Ahern has some advice for Micheál Martin. He’ll be delighted.
The Indo are reporting comments on migration by Fianna Fáil general election candidates on their front page.
The Examiner focuses in on Garda efforts to identify people in relation to the Dublin riots almost a year ago.
The Star does the same.
The Mirror focuses on closing arguments in the Conor McGregor civil rape case.
The Mail concentrates on Sinn Féin’s manifesto commitment to review RTÉ’s objectivity.
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