Economic crisis to dominate Fianna Fáil Ard Fheis

The ongoing economic and banking crisis is expected to dominate proceedings as Fianna Fáil holds its annual Ard Fheis in Dublin this weekend.

More than 4,000 party members are expected to attend the two-day event at CityWest, which gets underway later today.

The Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, is due to give his leaders' speech to the gathering tomorrow evening and is expected to use the occasion to rally the troops ahead of the local elections in June.

Opinion polls would suggest the party is set to face a hammering in those elections due to widespread dissatisfaction with its handling of the recession.