Sinn Fein's O'Rourke blasts Regina Doherty's 'self serving political posturing'

Regina Doherty's claim that she would be willing to work with Sinn Fein in Government has been described as 'self serving political posturing' by local SF councillor Darren O'Rourke.

Responding to today's front page story in a national Sunday newspaper where Government Chief Whip Regina Doherty said there were 'fabulous' people in Sinn Féin and that she would 'of course' serve in Government with the party, local Sinn Féin Councillor Darren O'Rourke said.

'I must admit I was surprised to read this morning's story in the Sunday Independent. It is difficult to keep track of Deputy Doherty's musings, even harder to predict what the Government Chief Whip is likely to say next.
'That said, I welcome this epiphany. Sinn Féin is at the very heart of politics on the island of Ireland. We have a mandate unmatched by any other political party, with Councillors, TDs, MLAs, MPs and MLAs articulating a message based on the principles of fairness and equality in every political forum.
'In light of her recent clash with Deputy Helen McEntee, I find it difficult to see Deputy Doherty's epiphany as nothing more than self-serving political posturing.

Her remarks come at the end of a controversial week for the Ratoath TD that saw tensions between herself and constituency colleague - Minister of State Helen McEntee - rise to the surface.
The Fine Gael Minister in the Department of Health is set to raise concerns within the party about comments made about her by her Fine Gael Meath East colleague.
In an interview with The Irish Times, Ms Doherty said she and Ms McEntee did not get on, and that Ms McEntee would “walk past me in the corridor and wouldn’t even blink her eyes”.
Deputy McEntee said the remarks made by Ms Doherty were “utterly inappropriate”.

The pair are constituency colleagues in Meath East, and hold two out of three seats for Fine Gael in the constituency. The third is held by Fianna Fáil’s Thomas Byrne.
Deputy Byrne refused to be drawn on the controversy and said 'It was a bit unusual. There are tensions between colleagues in all political parties, that's political life, but usually it never bubbles up to the surface.'
The comments arose after Ms Doherty was asked if it would be difficult for Fine Gael to retain the two seats the pair hold.
“No, because the two of us are so fabulous,” Ms Doherty mockingly said of both herself and Ms McEntee.
When asked if there was healthy competition between them, she replied: “That would be a nice way of putting it.”
Ms McEntee said she would be raising the issue internally within the party.

“They are utterly inappropriate comments to make about a colleague,” she said. “I intend to address the matter internally in the party.”
Fine Gael Dublin North-West TD Noel Rock, who has previously clashed with Ms Doherty over Dáil attendance, also described her comments as “inappropriate”.

“It’s inappropriate for any party member to air a private dispute in public like this. This is especially true for a whip, who is supposed to maintain discipline within a party. Constituency rivalries exist as we all know, but an airing of private grievances like this helps nobody.”