Haughey denies he plans to leave Fianna Fáil

Fianna Fáil TD Sean Haughey today denied reports that he may stand as an independent candidate at the next general election.

The Dublin North Central deputy revealed last week that he was aggrieved at being passed over for a junior ministry job he was widely tipped to secure.

However Taoiseach Bertie Ahern said he held an amicable and helpful meeting with Mr Haughey on Friday which resolved any differences between the pair.

In the latest twist in the saga, Mr Haughey today moved quickly to discount media speculation that he may leave Fianna Fáil and contest his seat as an independent.

“Recent press reports have stated that I am considering exiting Fianna Fáil and standing as an independent candidate in the next general election. I wish to state that this is completely false,” Mr Haughey said in a statement issued through the Fianna Fáil press office.

“In addition, I would like to make it clear that nobody has spoken to the media in this regard on my behalf over the past few days.

“I met with the Taoiseach on Friday last to discuss the recent appointment of Junior Ministers and am fully satisfied with the outcome of this meeting.”

Mr Haughey, a TD since 1987, had been strongly tipped for a junior ministry vacancy created by the resignation of Ivor Callely over two months ago.

But a colleague, Meath TD Mary Wallace, was surprisingly chosen by Mr Ahern last week.

In a related development, Mr Ahern has indicated that he expects retiring TD, Minister of State Síle de Valera to quit her portfolio sometime before the next general election.

It has been speculated that the Taoiseach may allow Ms de Valera to remain in office until after the 90th anniversary celebrations for the 1916 Rising in mid-April because of her family connections with the event.

Her grandfather Eamon de Valera was one of the leaders of the Rising and later became Taoiseach and president.