Social issues will dominate Fianna Fáil conference

FIANNA FÁIL’S refocusing on left-wing social policies will begin at the party’s meeting of TDs and senators next week, which will hear the views of social justice experts.

The party is hoping the forthcoming Cabinet reshuffle will not overshadow the gathering at Inchydoney, Co Cork, Government Chief Whip Mary Hanafin said yesterday.

In the wake of Fianna Fáil’s disastrous local and European elections, the members of the parliamentary party will also discuss the organisation of the party. While a full attendance is expected, Agriculture Minister Joe Walsh, the local TD in the area, will miss the second day as he will be attending an EU summit.

Announcing that the main theme of the two-day conference is social awareness, as well as the economy, Ms Hanafin said discussions will focus on the link between the economy and helping everybody benefit in society.

“There are people we want to ensure will benefit more,” she said.

But with the reshuffle due at the end of month, Ms Hanafin acknowledged it is an issue for TDs and senators. “It would be foolish to say it isn’t on people’s minds. We can’t let it dominate,” she said.

The Taoiseach had not given any indication that he will be recalling the Dáil earlier than the scheduled return on September 29 to announce the reshuffle, the chief whip said.

Anti-poverty activist Fr Seán Healy of CORI will be the keynote speaker on the first day and he will also answer questions from members of the parliamentary party.

Sticking with social issues, the co-editors of “Echos of Suicide”, Siobhán Foster-Ryan of the Department of Education and Luke Monahan of the Marino Institute will also contribute to the discussions. Irish Hospice Foundation founder Dr Mary Redmond, a solicitor and director of Bank of Ireland, will speak on the issue of volunteerism.

Rugby pundit and broadcaster George Hook will be the after-dinner speaker on the first night of the conference.