Fianna Fail claims it will safeguard foreign policy

Opposition parties would do "untold damage" to Ireland's Foreign and Defence policy, Fianna Fail claimed today.

Speaking at the launch of Fianna Fail's European manifesto, the Minister for Defence, Mr O'Donoghue claimed that suggestions by Fine Gael leader, Mr Enda Kenny that the government was facing into this election with reluctance, were ironic, seeing as Fine Gael has not won a General Election for 22 years.

Minister O'Donoghue warned that Mr Kenny's call for the abolition of neutrality would lead to a conflict of interest with his "newly found best friend Pat Rabbitte".

In contrast, Fianna Fail candidates are not reluctant to defend Irish farmers, Irish neutrality, the open economy and national interests, according to the Minister.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, echoed his minister's sentiments before outlining what he said were policies distinct from those being offered by other parties.

These objectives include; the protecting and building of employment, direct funding towards communities, co-operation in the fight against international crime and the protection of the interests in Irish farming.

The Taoiseach continued saying that the electorate will not be fooled by the negative agendas outlined by other parties, whose "campaigns are based only on what they are against".

"I don't believe that the electorate will fall for this negative agenda," added the Taoiseach.

Mr Ahern will also be seeking pledges from his European candidates that should they be elected that they will fulfil the five year term "unless something exceptional happens".