Fianna Fáil now weighing up options

Fianna FΡil now weighing up options


Michael Commins

SENIOR Fianna FΡil strategists are considering putting Knock man and Government adviser Bernard Mallee on the party’s ticket for the upcoming general election, according to informed political sources.
Speculation is mounting by the day as the General Election draws ever closer. The announcement in recent days that former Mayo footballer Dermot Flanagan was to seek a nomination created some ripples in party circles in the county. Dermot, a barrister by profession, has been resident in Kilkenny for the past four years. He had spoken to various members of the party around the county and had also addressed a meeting of party activists in Claremorris on Friday night. News yesterday (Monday) that he was withdrawing from the nomination race came as a major surprise to all who attended the Claremorris meeting where he had received a warm welcome.
The Claremorris meeting also heard Senator John Carty declare that he would not be a candidate in the upcoming general election. Mr Carty cited health grounds as one of the reasons for his decision not to let his name go forward to convention.
It is now understood that the Fianna FΡil hierarchy in Dublin is examining a three-candidate strategy in Mayo where the party has already lost sitting Castlebar-based TD Beverly Flynn who announced that she will not seek re-election.
That leaves Ballina-based TD and Minister of State, Dara Calleary, as the only certainty for the Fianna FΡil general election ticket. Following a story in The Mayo News last week concerning the possibility that Dara Calleary may be the sole candidate for the party, such a move was endorsed by well known political commentator Sean Donnelly on his constituency round-up on RTE Radio One on Wednesday evening.
However, while as yet no date has been set for the convention, it seems likely that the party will select a candidate within the Castlebar Electoral Area to replace outgoing TD, Beverley Flynn.
Senior Fianna FΡil sources say Mr Mallee, who is 30, would complete a geographically balanced ticket in the East Mayo area, particularly since Knock-based Senator John Carty has officially declared he is not a runner.
Fianna FΡil is keen to identify young DΡil candidates ahead of what most observers expect will be a very tough general election for the party. It is believed Mr Mallee, who could be considered one of the Ógra generation, is coming under increasing pressure from party chiefs to allow his name to be added to the general election ticket. He is currently a special adviser to the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation, Batt O’Keeffe.
Bernard is a former Fianna FΡil press officer, public relations consultant and journalist and a graduate of University College, Galway, and Dublin City University. He is a son of the late Séamus Mallee, Knock and Helena Connolly, Kiltimagh.