FF deputy says party will be defeated

A FIANNA FÁIL TD said his party will have to accept defeat at the next general election, with a possible doomsday scenario of retaining just 50 seats.

Outspoken backbencher Ned O’Keeffe believes a number of high-profile Fianna Fáil TDs will lose their seats — and he admits he’s not overly confident of retaining his own in the Cork East constituency, which he has held since 1982.

O’Keeffe, who was a former junior minister for agriculture, said Fianna Fáil supporters now have to prepare for time out of Government and concentrate on winning power back at the following election.