Fianna Fáil hopeful of compromise after convention rift

THE Fianna Fáil organisation in Galway West met last night in an attempt to find a compromise in the rift that led to last week’s selection convention being abandoned.

As the fall-out from the acrimonious convention continued this weekend, the local chairman said he was still hopeful that a compromise could be reached.

John Joe Higgins said last night’s meeting would look at any options “that gave the local organisation a chance to have their voices heard.”

The convention last Sunday week was abandoned after a number of those attending angrily refused to accept instructions from party headquarters that only three candidates be selected.

Two days later the party’s constituency committee, chaired by Brian Cowen, decided that no new convention would take place. Instead the committee ruled that the party’s two sitting TDs (Éamon Ó Cuív and Frank Fahey) would be selected. The remaining four nominees will be interviewed for the third spot on the ticket.

However, several Galway West public representatives, including MEP Seán Ó Neachtain and Senator Margaret Cox have questioned the committee’s decision, arguing that FF headquarters can’t dictate to the local organisation in that manner. The Fianna Fáil spokeswoman said yesterday that the decision by the committee was final and could not be revised or overturned.

Mr Higgins yesterday accepted that those looking for a fresh convention and a slate of four candidates could not get all they are looking for, but he said he was hopeful of a compromise acceptable to all.

“The meeting is planned to allow people to sit down in a calm and cool manner and talk it over,” he said. “How we go forward from here will be the main aim.”

The four candidates vying for a place on the ticket are city-based councillors John Connolly and Mary Hoade; Cllr Seamus Walsh from Oughterard and Knocknacarra-based Val Hanley, who is a member of Údaras na Gaeltachta.