Fine Gael TDs to vent fury over polling day failures
This evening’s parliamentary party meeting will also include discussion around why the Government lead party fared so badly in the Dublin West by-election.
It is expected that backbenchers and rural TDs will particularly question why Gay Mitchell only got 6.4% support in the election.
Party chairman Charlie Flanagan, who was also the MEP’s election manager for the Áras bid, last night confirmed the three issues would be on the agenda at this evening’s meeting.
Mr Flanagan has also begun compiling a report for Taoiseach Enda Kenny about where the presidential campaign failed. “As with all elections, there will be a report for the parliamentary party as well as the leader. I will need to discuss it with members,” he said.
Cork TD Jerry Buttimer said he expected Mr Mitchell’s drubbing at the polls and the rejection of proposals to boost Oireachtas powers would be put to rest by party members.
“It’s imperative that the Government get on with the issue of running the country. We’ll take note of it [the presidential bid] and of what the people said about referendum,” he said.
The Cabinet also met yesterday and agreed that its programme of reform, including future referendums, was still on track.
A Government spokesman also said the constitutional convention was still expected to be held in the spring.
Meanwhile, President- elect Michael D Higgins has said that he will go on a mini retreat as he draws up his speech for his inauguration ceremony on Friday week.
Mr Higgins said he hopes to go to Glenstal Abbey, Co Limerick, to avail of the solitude to write his speech for the Dublin Castle ceremony on November 11.
“I will go to where I always go to find space and retreat and that is Glenstal Abbey. I want to use the space to shape my inauguration address,” he said.
He has used the retreat in the past when writing his books and his poetry. He said he will continue to write during the presidency but he won’t be publishing any books during the term.
