Pictured is An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar TD with (l to r) Tanaiste Simon Coveney, Vice-President of the European Parliament Mairead McGuinness MEP and Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe TD at a Fine Gael press conference in the IIEA, after the Taoiseach delivered a speech as part of the path to the general election. Photograph: Sasko Lazarov / RollingNews.ie

Simon Coveney in last-ditch attempt to sway voters away from Sinn Féin

TÁNAISTE Simon Coveney has claimed that Sinn Féin “line up Irish people against other Irish people.”

It comes as the party has admitted that a Fianna Fáil / Sinn Féin coalition is a possibility.

In a speech on Tuesday, Cork South Central incumbent Coveney warned that “the word “change” is being ambushed and abused.” Mr Coveney said Fine Gael’s economic record is one which has ensured strong growth, a job for everyone who wants one and wages that are rising.

“Voters are being promised levels of spending and policies that would cripple the Irish economy again,” he said.

“The brand of politics practiced by Sinn Fein is built on discontent and division - feeding and encouraging undercurrents of anger. There is always a “them” and “us” in Sinn Fein politics. They line up Irish people against other Irish people.

“Ask yourself this, has Sinn Féin ever put the country before party interests? Has Sinn Féin ever had to make a hard decision on economic choices? Will Sinn Féin be there to pay the bill and pick up the pieces after they wreck the economy and drive jobs and capital out of Ireland?” he added.

Meanwhile, Finance Minister Paschal Donohoe has admitted that a Fianna Fáil / Sinn Féin coalition is a possibility.

Mr Donohoe called the parties “the ‘Wreckers’ and the ‘Reckless’” and said they present “a clear and present danger to our economy, society and future.” He claimed that Fine Gael is delivering a brighter future for the country.

“Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin have the potential to undo all of this hard work; Fianna Fáil with a return to their worst hits of the Celtic Tiger era. And Sinn Féin with their tax and spent plans that would drive business from our shores and threaten the jobs we have worked so hard for here at home,” he said.