Perry to learn result of plea to keep seat

Former small business minister John Perry will learn next week whether Fine Gael colleagues will back his last-ditch plea to defend his TD seat.

The Sligo-Leitrim representative was told last night that Fine Gael’s TD and senator-based parliamentary party will respond in the next seven days after he formally requested them to support his attempt to be added to the general election ticket by the separate national executive.

The ex-minister has repeatedly attempted to be added to the ticket after failing to win one of two places at last month’s Sligo-Leitrim selection convention.

In a series of public comments, Mr Perry has said he was effectively blocked from being a candidate as 50 of his supporters were unable to vote because of a party fees administrative error — an issue Fine Gael says concerns their failure to pay the money on time. After failing to convince the party to add him automatically the Sligo-Leitrim TD last night formally sought the parliamentary party’s support.

Kildare South TD Martin Heydon confirmed to Mr Perry the parliamentary party will issue a formal response next week. However, Fine Gael last night said the separate national executive will ultimately make the final decision.