A Fine Gael candidate in the forthcoming Seanad elections has claimed that the Fianna Fail/Progressive Democrats voting pact "subverts the
Constitution." Mr Michael O'Reilly said yesterday that Article 18 of the Constitution required that Seanad votes be cast by "secret postal ballot".
He is taking legal advice to see if grounds exist for seeking an injunction restraining the Progressive Democrats candidates from voting in accordance with a pact agreed by their leader, the
Tanaiste, Ms Harney.
In the coalition arrangement entered into with the Progressive
Democrats leadership Mr Bertie Ahern agreed that, if elected to
Government, he would nominate four Progressive Democrats to the
Seanad as part of the "Taoiseach's Eleven".
In return, the Progressive Democrats agreed not to contest the election and to support Fianna Fail candidates.
However, according to Mr O'Reilly, he had travelled around the country as part of his canvass "and individual Progressive Democrats candidates have told me they are expected to meet together in Dublin where they will mark their ballot papers in the presence of party officials. They have also told me that the manner of their voting will be verified by Fianna Fail."
A spokesman for the Progressive Democrats described the claims as
"nonsense", adding that party members eligible to vote in the Seanad election would do so "in the normal manner and the secrecy of the ballot box will be maintained."
He also denied Mr O'Reilly's claims that Progressive Democrats councillors will be brought to vote in "a plush Dublin hotel . . .
under the watchful eye of Fianna Fail minders".
Mr O'Reilly insisted that, if the Progressive Democrats "play games" and do not vote for Fianna Fail, as agreed, the Taoiseach will not nominate the four.
A long-time activist in Fine Gael and a lawyer, Mr O'Reilly is seeking election to the Seanad for the first time. He was deputy chairman of the party's Commission for Renewal in 1993.