Party eyes past PR guru Mara to lead campaign

Fianna Fáil officials are staying quiet over claims that one of the party’s best-known spin doctors, PJ Mara, could be set to head its general election campaign.

Weekend reports suggested the famed strategist, who has sparked fear and respect in equal measure across the political divide, was the subject of discussions among senior members of the opposition party in recent weeks over how to increase votes before the likely election in 2016.

The possibility has been put forward by the internal party ‘Futures’ group, drawn from Fianna Fáil TDs and the wider organisation, which believes Mr Mara’s return is vital to increasing Dáil seats in Dublin and to take full advantage of any coalition slip-up over the coming months.