FF to begin pre-election Ard Fheis

Fianna Fail begins its pre-election Ard Fheis later today fresh from the disappointment of losing yesterday’s abortion referendum.

6,000 Fianna Fail members are expected to gather for the Ard Fheis in CityWest, Dublin.

The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, has insisted that yesterday’s defeat will not affect his party’s chances in the election, but the opposition believes that, after losing the last six by-elections and two referendums, Mr Ahern’s popularity in the opinion polls is not reflected on the ground.