Fianna Fáil rocked by Cork resignation

The Fianna Fáil organisation in Cork city has been dealt a major blow with the resignation of a key activist and local election candidate, in the wake of the budget.

Chairman of Fianna Fáil in Cork and long-standing National Executive member, David Whyte, has resigned and is considering running as an independent in next year’s local elections. Dave Whyte said he could no longer stay a member “after the way the Government treated the over seventies in the last few weeks.” He said he was totally shocked at the insensitive nature of the Government.

"While everyone was expecting a tough budget, it was totally unnecessary to target our elderly, our young and our disabled, while ignoring the real problem — the cost of Government."

Mr Whyte's resignation will be a major blow for the party. As part of the National Executive, he was a member of the three most powerful committees, Finance, Rules and Procedures and Compliance.

Having recently been selected to run in the local elections in the North East ward, Mr Whyte said he now needed time to consider whether or not to stand as an independent.

The 43-year-old businessman, who has a steel business in Mayfield, said a number of others in the party in Cork had also offered to resign as a mark of support for him. “I told them to consider their position and not rush into anything.”

He said he would now consult supporters on his ongoing strategy.

Article courtesy of the Evening Echo newspaper