COALITIONS exist on trust. Once that is gone, then the game is up. As we near the local and European elections, a series of inter-coalition spats and rows mark a distinct cooling in relations between what has been a very stable Fine Gael Labour Coalition to date.

Almost three years in office, the parties have implemented a pretty brutal austerity regime, increased taxes, cut services and tackled some thorny social issues like abortion and gay marriage.

While both parties have lost men and women overboard, the bedrock of the Coalition has been the close links between Finance Minsters Michael Noonan and Brendan Howlin on economic issues, and, more importantly, the very good relationship between party leaders Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore.

But that once rock-solid relationship is under strain.

Mr Gilmore all but confirmed yesterday his lashing of Mr Kenny at a meeting last week for the poor manner in which his Fine Gael team was treating their junior coalition partners.

Tired of having his ministers being spun against by their Fine Gael colleagues, Mr Gilmore called on the Taoiseach to rein in his operatives, or risk the stability of the Government.

Since the passing of the Budget in October, tensions between the coalition parties have been rising slowly on foot of a series of disagreements that have begun to surface.

Even before that, the Taoiseach, Mr Noonan and Jobs Minister Richard Bruton invaded Mr Gilmore's home patch to announce 300 jobs last September while he was away in the United States. Such nice announcements are one of the few positive things politicians can show their constituents. Gilmore was reportedly not happy.

Then came anger and resentment among senior Fine Gael ministers that Social Protection Minister Joan Burton had to deliver savings amounting to one-third those required of Health Minister James Reilly, despite her having by far the largest Government spend at over €20bn.

"She managed to save her department from the worst when James has had to cut over €500m and gets hammered. Of course it p****s us off," said one senior Fine Gael minister.

Relations weren't helped when Ms Burton, who can bristle with the best of them, was dumped off a high-profile interview with Sean O'Rourke at the end of the bailout in favour of Mr Noonan.

But Mr Kenny's recent forays into the ongoing pylons row has also left Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte feeling exposed. Mr Kenny was seen to soften his position on the pylons at last week's Fine Gael Parliamentary Meeting.

But Labour sources have criticised Mr Kenny's decision, which they say "has left us back hanging out to dry" having held the tough line in the face of opposition for weeks.

HURDLES

In a further sign of inter-coalition tensions, there has been a willingness among Labour ministers -- including Mr Gilmore -- to openly lash out at the bonus revelations and €50m spend on consultants at Irish Water.

This spoke volumes. Even though they deeply dislike Mr Hogan, 12 months ago such comments would not have been uttered.

And Mr Gilmore's outrage at his exclusion from the recent bailout exit TV addresses marked a decided souring of relations between the two leaders.

Having successfully navigated the major hurdles of a bailout and abortion, the Government must now tread carefully.

In the two parties' desire to assert their own individual identities, they risk bringing down the whole.

Irish Independent