Fianna Fáil begins internal debate

FIANNA FÁIL last night described its first special meeting on party policy as a success, saying many of the proposals from the 70 TDs and Senators who attended will find their way into its election manifesto.

Yesterday’s meeting was the first of four such meetings focusing on policy and strategy that will take place during July.

They were set up by party leader Bertie Ahern to address frustrated backbenchers — including the so-called 16 rebels who signed an email to colleagues — who complained that they were not being afforded a chance to contribute to policy formation.