Ó Cuív resignation set to dominate FF ard fheis

The departure of Éamon Ó Cuív as deputy leader of Fianna Fáil is expected to be the main talking point at the party's ard fheis, which gets underway in Dublin's RDS this evening.

As many as 3,000 grassroots members are expected at this ard fheis, the first for the party in more than three years, and the first with Micheál Martin in charge.

Mr Martin was hoping that the conference would focus on rebuilding and renewal from the defeat in last year's election, but now much of the attention will surround Eamon Ó Cuív, and how much support he commands for his views among the members.

Described as the most significant in the party's history, the ard fheis will also engage in the process of policy formation, plans a shift away from the cumann system to allow members have a greater say, as well as debating dozens of other motions.