FG parliamentary party to meet today

Fine Gael’s severely depleted parliamentary party is due to meet today after the party’s disastrous defeat in last week’s general election.

The upcoming Senate elections and the party’s search for a new leader are expected to top the agenda. Fine Gael lost 23 seats in the election, prompting Michael Noonan to resign as leader.

However, the push to find a replacement is expected to be delayed until after the Senate elections.

Spokesperson Olivia Mitchell said: "How we handle the Senate campaign is absolutely critical and I think there’s a determination to be absolutely clinical in targeting the constituencies where, for instance, we don’t have TDs."