FIANNA FÁIL members have been left disgruntled by the controversy surrounding their recent presidential campaign.
An internal party review was published on Tuesday, following calls from three senior Fianna Fáil TDs, including Donegal’s Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher.
In their statement, Deputy Gallagher, along with party colleagues Willie O’Dea and Seán Ó Fearghaíl, called for transparency and respect within the party.
A lengthy meeting was then held by parliamentary party members in Leinster House on Tuesday.
During the meeting, the findings of the report were debated, including how Fianna Fáil’s presidential election candidate Jim Gavin was asked five times about a reference to a dispute with a tenant – a dispute which ultimately became the nail in the coffin of his short-lived campaign.
The report also outlined a campaign expenditure of €400,000.
Yesterday, Deputy Gallagher told RTÉ that this was not the end.
“We can’t draw a line in the sand having expended €400,000 and expecting our organisation to provide those funds over the
years.”
Deputy Gallagher also questioned how the Taoiseach could have decided on the candidacy of Jim Gavin after just one meeting with him.
“How could anyone decide in that short time that that was the person to garner enough votes across the country to win?” Deputy Gallagher asked.
