Fianna Fáil TDs fear review into botched presidential campaign will be 'inside job' and a 'whitewash'

Politicians have warned delays could impact the 'veracity' of the report into the fiasco that saw former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin sensationally drop out three weeks before voting

Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the National Ploughing Championships in September with then Fianna Fáil presidential candidate Jim Gavin. Picture: Dan Linehan

Fianna Fáil TDs have questioned whether a review into its botched presidential election campaign will be delayed until next month, with some suggesting it is pointing to a "whitewash".

Politicians have now warned delays could impact the “veracity” of the report into the fiasco that saw former Dublin football manager Jim Gavin sensationally drop out three weeks before voting.

A review examining how Mr Gavin was selected to contest last month’s election and his eventual withdrawal from the race was expected to be completed by Wednesday.

Mr Gavin withdrew from the race after confirmation he did not repay rent overpayments from a tenant. He withheld the information from the party.

In a statement over the weekend, chief whip Mary Butler conceded the deadline would not be met.

“The independent review is ongoing, and while the aim for publication was November 12, the chairman and committee members must conduct an independent and fair process, which may take longer than originally planned,” she said.

“It is most important that this review remains independent, as agreed by the parliamentary party.”

The review panel consists of parliamentary party members Tom Brabazon, Eamon Scanlon, and Margaret Murphy O’Mahony, and is chaired by senior counsel Ciaran O’Loughlin.

Fianna Fáil parliamentary party members told the Irish Examiner while there was “disappointment” the review was delayed, there was not surprise.

There are now questions about whether the report will be published in November, with TDs noting interviews are still being conducted.

It is understood several TDs will give in-person submissions this week, while Taoiseach Micheál Martin is not expected to be interviewed until the latter half of the week. It was also suggested Jack Chambers, the party’s deputy leader and director of elections, has not been interviewed either.

Mr Martin will be in Ireland this week, a spokesperson confirmed, with no plans in the diary for him to be abroad when his party meet on Wednesday.

However, some TDs questioned whether the report could be published next week, as the Taoiseach will travel to South Africa for the G20 from Thursday onwards.

One TD noted it was unlikely the report would be released, and Mr Martin will immediately leave the country.

Some in the party have privately been angered by TDs and senators seen as loyal to Mr Martin saying last week the report would be delivered on time.

One source said if Mr Martin knew he would not be interviewed, he should have let the parliamentary party know ahead of last week's meeting.

"Anyone could see it was going to go beyond this week, but treat us as adults and let us know," a source said.

Another TD suggested the report was going to be an “inside job” and a “whitewash”.

“There will inevitably now be questions about the veracity of what's about to be published because of those delays,” they added.

Several TDs also expressed concern the email address provided to members to submit written evidence was a Fianna Fáil address.

They argued some TDs were “fearful”, as the “email address infers it is going to Fianna Fáil headquarters”, and “questioned if they will have sight of everything”.

A Fianna Fáil spokesperson confirmed it was the “dedicated email address used by the review group and is accessible by one person only, the secretary to the group”.

Fianna Fáil rebels list

Elsewhere, anger is continuing following the distribution of a list of so-called “rebels” from Government Buildings.

Ms Butler told the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting last week she was not aware of the list.

So-called rebels, including Cork TDs James O’Connor, Seamus McGrath, and Pádraig O’Sullivan, as well as Erin McGreehan, John McGuinness, John Lahart, Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, and Senator Anne Rabbitte, were named on a list of potential plotters against the leadership.

Ms Butler told the meeting members had been on the radio, and she believed the “media are taking their direction from that” as it would be “easy to see” which people are on which side.

“I would imagine it would be very easy for a journalist to put a list together," she said.

Ms Butler said those named on the list had been told by journalists of their inclusion.

She questioned if the politicians “believe everything you hear from journalists”, adding she “certainly” did not.

A spokesperson for Ms Butler said they do not comment on discussions at parliamentary party meetings.