Flanagan broaches idea of FF/FG pact in new council

Former Fine Gael councillor Joe Flanagan has said he would not rule out a historic Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael coalition to control Westmeath County Council for the next five years.

“Fianna Fáil will have to talk to everybody and I wouldn’t rule out a Fianna Fail/Fine Gael coalition. That has worked in many counties and I see no reason why it wouldn’t work here as well. It certainly would be a new departure and would be another way of getting rid of civil war politics in Ireland,” the Moyvoughley man maintained at the Athlone count last Saturday given the rainbow nature of the newly elected local authority.

Fianna Fail has eight seats on the new council, followed by Fine Gael with five, three Sinn Féin representatives, with Labour and Independents each having two spots.

“With the result of the Athlone area now coming through, it seems Fianna Fail will be talking to everybody, so I’m sure Fine Gael will be among that and they (FG) will have to approach that with a very open mind,” he added.
Hailing his brother-in-law, Tom Farrell’s victory, he emphasised that he fought a great campaign and was delighted to be associated with it.

“It’s the seat I fought hard for for 35 years and I’m glad he maintained it and the fact he kept it in the family I suppose makes it even sweeter,” he noted.
For him, it was the first time in over three decades to arrive at a count centre relaxed, and that’s a feeling he wants to continue in his retirement.

“For the first time I went to the count with no pressure and I’m looking forward to living a much more relaxed life and maybe, concentrating more on my work and my family. It’s the beginning of a new era for me,” he said.