Impact of Forde’s defection will be main talking point

THE major talking points in this area centres on a split in Fianna Fáil which saw the unprecedented defection of Deirdre Forde to Fine Gael.

She viewed the addition of Micheál Martin’s twin brother, Pádraig, on the FF ticket, as a direct attack on her own seat and, after complaining that the minister was trying to create a dynasty, she jumped ship in spectacular fashion.

Whether she will get a sympathy vote from the electorate, or be seen as defecting for her own self-preservation, remains to be seen.