Economic and European matters to dominate FF convention

Economic and European matters will dominate the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting next week.

The Taoiseach and senior Ministers will meet with the party's TDs and Senators amid gloomy economic conditions and the crisis over the rejection of the Lisbon Treaty.

Next week Brian Cowen will host his first annual meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party in Galway since becoming leader.

With the economic downturn causing major job losses and the worsening condition of public finances Fianna Fáil is practically clearing the decks for matters economic and European.

The first day of the conference will see the Taoiseach, the Finance and Foreign Affairs Ministers and professors of economics and politics and international relations all address the party.

The two major sessions are being called 'Sustaining Prosperity' and 'Defining Ireland’s Future in Europe'.

Fianna Fáil will also discuss issues in the health service and work on its strategy for next year's local and European elections.