FF tent at race festival too elitist, claim members

FIANNA FÁIL headquarters has played down a row with grassroots members in Galway who have suggested its corporate tent at the Galway Races be scrapped on the grounds it is elitist.

The party’s Galway West Comhairle Dáil Cheantair is organising a race night in a city hotel next Tuesday, having recently issued a report in which fundraising and the Fianna Fáil tent at the races was mentioned.

The report, entitled Ag Obair Le Chéile (Working Together), said the practice of having a corporate tent at the races was “highlighted by most members”.

“The attraction of the races ensures that everyone mingles together during the festival. Our members and supporters feel that the present format of this fundraising event creates a sense of elitism and isolates many people,” the report said.

However, Fianna Fáil HQ rejected the idea of reviewing the event, saying the tent is a genuine way to fundraise and, as a corporate event which requires payment to gain entry, it is not there for just anybody to walk into.

It is understood the Galway West Comhairle Dáil Cheantair was not impressed by HQ’s reaction and - in response - will hold what is billed as a Race Night Get Together in the Radisson SAS Hotel next Tuesday for ordinary members.

Tickets are priced at €15 a head, as opposed to the several thousand euro members can pay for a table in the tent at the Ballybrit racecourse.

Each year, the Fianna Fáil tent coffers are boosted to the tune of up to €200,000 from punters and party members who pay to be wined and dined in the company of Cabinet ministers.

A table of 12 at this week’s event is believed to cost between €2,500 and €4,000 on different days between Tuesday and Friday, although a Fianna Fáil spokesperson said almost two-thirds of receipts cover the costs of hosting the tent.

While it is understood that party HQ is urging Fianna Fáil ministers and dignitaries not to attend the rival night, a spokesperson rubbished these claims last night.

“We’re delighted to see organisations around the country running fundraising events, there’s no truth that there has been a directive to members not to go,” she said.

The party tent is not just an attraction for the FF faithful, but is a regular haunt of the many celebrities who grace the racecourse during the week-long race meeting.

Anybody involved in business or lobbying activity can also garner an opportunity to bend the ear of a few ministers, something which is not always possible at other functions when they are often surrounded by political spin doctors and civil servants.