‘Blueshirts and provos’ targets for canvassers

FIANNA FÁIL members should not ignore the houses of “blueshirts” or “provos” when canvassing for votes, Junior Minister Brendan Smith told delegates.

Mr Smith said it had been “a trait” of Fianna Fáil in the past to ignore some households when canvassing. “We used to pass by certain houses. We’d say: ‘They’re blueshirts, they’re provos, or whatever; there’s no point going to them.’ That’s not on today,” he said.

“We cannot go past any door, even if they’re committed activists belonging to some other political party that we know, I think it’s basic good manners in itself to rap the door and ask for a preference vote or ask for support.”