Elaine Loughlin: As Fine Gael exodus continues, Varadkar must devise succession strategy

The Fine Gael party leader has admitted that things will get worse, with 'one or two more' exits of TDs expected during this Dáil term

'We can put succession plans in place,' said party leader Leo Varadkar. Picture: Brian Lawless

Most TDs don't get to retire, was how Leo Varadkar put it, in pointing out the unique situation that some of his previously most faithful TDs have now put him in.

He was referring to the fact that politicians usually have their careers ended not on their own terms but on that of the electorate.

With seven TDs already gone come the next general election and more expected to follow, Fine Gael is dealing with more than just the natural attrition that comes before any poll.

Varadkar has also admitted that things will get worse, with "one or two more" exits expected in this Dáil term.

"Obviously, I know my parliamentary party very well and that they tell me things, perhaps before they tell the public, so I think there will be one or two more," he told RTÉ radio yesterday.

Despite the mass exodus, which has come a considerable distance of time away from the election, party sources are now trying to put a positive spin on things.

The strategy, it seems, is to promote those in the Upper Chamber in a bid to retain seat numbers in the next Dáil.

A number of senators have received a positive bounce due to the boundary redraws and it will also give some of those who lost out in 2020 another chance.

Garret Ahearn is expected to take a seat in the newly-formed Tipperary South constituency.

This includes Garret Ahearn, who is now expected to take a seat in the newly-formed Tipperary South constituency. It has been pointed out that Ahearn is situated perfectly in the newly-drawn-up electoral area.

"If he doesn't do it this time, he can forget about politics," one source remarked.

The party will also be hoping Tim Lombard can take a seat in Cork South West, while the inclusion of more chunks of Westmeath means that Peter Burke should have scope to bring in senator Micheál Carrigy as a running mate in the Longford end of the constituency.

John Cummins will be put forward in Waterford, while the division of Fingal should give former social protection minister Regina Doherty a boost.

However, this does not box off the holes left by the seven (so-far) TDs who are departing before the next election.

Fine Gael will have to try replace these outgoing and very experienced TDs with new blood from local council level.

Varadkar is adamant that plans for candidates to succeed outgoing TDs will be put in place across the country.

“A number of them are now going to be moving on, but we can put succession plans in place,” Varadkar said, citing the retirement of Enda Kenny and the election of Alan Dillon in his stead in Mayo.