Politicians prepare for new term

Political parties are set to begin a series of soul searching sessions ahead of the resumption of the Dáil and Seanad later this month.

Fine Gael TDs and senators will gather in Galway this week to decide the issues on which they should attack the government.

The Labour party is holding a series of meetings around the country to allow the contenders for the deputy leadership Joan Burton and Jan O Sullivan put their respective cases to the membership.

Fianna Fáil will hear grassroots unease over the government’s handling of the Shannon issue when they hold two days of talks later in the month in Wicklow.

Meanwhile the Green Party holds its annual think-in later this month when delegates gather in Wicklow.

The party’s leadership will hear of rank and file discontent over a number of issues including the M3 motorway decision.