Daniel McConnell: As mass exodus looms, are Fine Gael’s best days behind it?

Leo Varadkar has returned as Taoiseach, but his party is increasingly looking in rag order as defections ahead of any election continue to mount, writes Daniel McConnell

This latest story is a stark eye-opener into how difficult the next election will be for Varadkar and company.. Picture: Finbarr O’Rourke

ELAINE LOUGHLIN’S tantalising lead story in Friday’s Irish Examiner, which said that up to nine Fine Gael TDs are to bow out and not contest the next general election, raises many fascinating questions about Leo Varadkar’s party and its future.

Her diligent reporting told us that Kerry TD Brendan Griffin and Cork East TD David Stanton are virtually certain not to run. Griffin’s non-denial of the story to Radio Kerry yesterday spoke volumes, while Stanton’s intentions have been clear since he lost ministerial office.