Fianna Fáil parliamentary party 'think-in' to get underway

The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party are gathering for their 'think-in' ahead of the return of the Dáil on Wednesday.

The event at a west Dublin hotel today and tomorrow will see party members discuss issues including the upcoming Dublin West by-election, and whether TDs or Senators will back David Norris should he decide to re-enter the Presidential race.

The meeting comes a year after the party's last such gathering in Galway, after which then party leader and Taoiseach Brian Cowen conducted an early-morning interview since dubbed 'Garglegate' amid accusations he was feeling the effects of the previous night.

In the interim the party was decimated in the general election and today's meeting is expected to be a sombre and sober affair.

Current party leader Micheál Martin is under pressure over what many see as his botched approach to Gay Byrne to run for the Presidency.

Speculation has meanwhile mounted in recent days that some Fianna Fáil TDs will be given license to support the re-entry of Senator David Norris to the race should he decide to change his mind.