‘Irritation’ in Fine Gael over Seanad deal with Fianna Fáil

The Government’s chief whip has admitted there is “mild irritation” among Fine Gael back-benchers over the party’s Seanad appointments deal with Fianna Fáil.

Regina Doherty confirmed a number of TDs are frustrated by the news that Micheál Martin’s party chose three of the 11 new senators, amid fresh concerns over the Government’s stability.

Speaking on RTÉ’s The Week in Politics programme as the latest Red C opinion poll placed both parties on 26% of the national vote, Ms Doherty, the Government chief whip, sought to play down rumoured anger within Fine Gael.