Three senior Fianna Fáil TDs, including Donegal’s Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher, have called for the party to publish the long-awaited review of its presidential campaign without further delay.
In a statement released today, Deputy Gallagher, along with his party colleagues Willie O’Dea and Seán Ó Fearghaíl, called for transparency and respect within the party.
They argued that members of the parliamentary party should be given adequate time to thoroughly review the report, reflect on its findings and discuss its implications for the future of the party during a special Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party meeting.
“We need a frank and informed discussion,” the statement read.
The review was set up to assess the processes involved in selecting Jim Gavin as the party’s nominee during October’s presidential election.
While party leader Micheál Martin had previously committed to releasing the report before Christmas, his spokesperson confirmed that he had not yet seen a copy of it.
The committee responsible for the review is scheduled to meet tomorrow to finalise details ahead of the report’s publication.
The senior TDs also voiced concerns over ongoing leaks from the report, calling them damaging to the party’s reputation and warning that such breaches of trust are unacceptable.
“The leaks point to a lack of candour within Fianna Fáil. This lack of candour contributed to the current debacle and seriously weakened confidence in our internal decision-making.
“Accountability is now essential if we are to restore trust and credibility,” they said.
“We must not allow this ongoing controversy to overshadow the historic milestone that is Fianna Fáil’s centenary. The public expects better from us. We insist that the full report be published now, without any delay. Then the facts can be faced squarely, and responsibility accepted.
“Then Fianna Fáil move forward with unity, and purpose and commence its second century of service to the Irish people,” the statement concluded.
