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A FIANNA FÁIL TD has dismissed the suggestion that his party colleague Éamon Ó Cúiv may run for president.
It emerged yesterday that a letter calling for support for Ó Cúiv to be the next president of Ireland had been sent to councillors across the country.
The letter was sent by Galway Councillor Ollie Crowe who said the TD would make an “outstanding candidate”. He said he had told Ó Cúiv about his plan to sent out the letter, but the TD west Galway TD has yet to publicly comment on it himself.
Party leader Micheál Martin confirmed last month that the party will support President Michael D Higgins’ candidacy. Fianna Fáil councillors were also asked by the party not to facilitate the nomination of any challenger to the incumbent.
In his letter to councillors, Crowe said “sitting on the sidelines is simply not a suitable or appropriate option, our party’s role is to run in political races not turn away from them”.
“The lack of consultation with representatives and members of the party in making this decision was an error but it is not one we need to live with.”
Speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland today, Fianna Fáil TD Niall Collins said the position of the party has been “very clear” and that members of the parliamentary party had been given a chance at their meeting last month to make their views known.
“I don’t really see this going anywhere to tell you the truth,” he said.
Éamon Ó Cúiv, from my own point of view, is a very straight up, stand up type of guy and if he were interested in running for the presidency, he would have said it at the time when it was discussed at our parliamentary party [meeting].
He said he had spoken to councillors in his constituency and they were not “queuing up to me to say we should have a presidential candidate”.
“I don’t think he will be running,” he said.
While Collins dismissed the suggestion of a party candidate, Fianna Fáil senator Mark Daly told Miriam O’Callaghan on RTÉ today that the party should have ran a candidate of its own. He stated that he had toyed with the idea of running, but only if the party had decided to put forward a candidate.
It’s understood that earlier this morning, a text message was sent to all members of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party stating:
‘The only body with the authority and ability to nominate a Fianna Fáil candidate for the presidential election is the Parliamentary Party. The Parliamentary Party has made a decision with regard to this matter.”
Sources within Fianna Fáil have criticised the way in which the decision to back Higgins was made with one politician telling TheJournal.ie that it was not the agenda for discussion at the parliamentary party meeting on the night in question.
“When the powers that be saw a poor turnout at parliamentary party meeting only 22 they were opportunistic and brought the topic up for discussion.”
Yesterday, Councillor Crowe said the party’s leadership was out of touch with its own membership.
With additional reporting by Christina Finn
Waterford County Council is due to address the topic at its meeting later today – follow our reporter Paul Hosford for updates.
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I’ve just literally saved hundreds and hundreds of €’s……!! – by not buying crap I don’t need.
Now if only you could persuade my wife of your logic!
Irelands version of Black Friday is more like January Sales…30% off nothing
I always thought that Black Friday was Robinson Crusoe’s mate. :-/
You can take the kids about xtravison down when into to two stores before 10.30 and asked about the Xbox or play stations and both said they were all gone
Since when was Black Friday a thing here in Ireland? Next thing you know, we’ll be celebrating wiping out the Native American Indian population
@ Ciaran Ba humbug. It’s about saving a few quid on gifts you had intended on buying anyway. Give over with the negativity. If you don’t wanna buy anything then don’t.
But…. I bought you a kisses make me boogie-o-lantern and a Lord Huggington bear.
Next year, ye’re all invited to mine for thanksgiving. Kerry schtyle.
Chuck I thought it was about businesses creating a frenzy by offering a few tempters to entice the type of person who queues all night for the latest IPhone
Slaves to capitalism.
Drew, love the reference
Drew, did they not have Sir Hugs-o-lot?
It’s the same basic bear Dave!
Yeah….I guess.
If you don’t have it you don’t need it.
Yup but why not save money on gifts or items you had intended on buying anyway. I held off for months to buy a garmin 500 and got 48% off. €130 off a tablet. Cutting off your nose to spite your face if you don’t take advantage of savings on items you need
But Figo I want it and I shall have it
I have turned off the radio in the car, the ads annoy me that much.
Just stick in yer mixtape there…
Debenhams are doing great deals and offers..just like the rest of the year. Great value, huge selection in every department and friendly staff too.
Thank you all.
Gerry Debenham
Paul….radio here is awful. ..more ads than music or talking most of the thing
I bought my first car a year and a half ago. Second hand. Celine Dion CD still stuck in the player. :(
God love ya Joe..
@Joe, how did that pass an NCT?
Marc I know, it’s head wrecking…. I started listening to a UK station called “the arrow.” It plays non stop rock with solely no adverts or talk at all. I use the tuneinradio app to listen to it. Give it a try, you won’t be disappointed….. I hope!!
Thanks Colin. …luckily I have varied tastes and lyric fm isn’t too bad but I’ll definitely try that station you suggested. ..cheers
Jasus….Celine go on….enough reason to walk lol
Anybody know when the DFS sale is finished? Seems to be going for a few years now
WHat does DFS mean?
Dublin foot scrubbers. 3 for a tenner, massive sale.
DaFugginSofa that faded and broke within a year.
Stay away from ARGOS alot of sale stuff not in stock anywhere in the South or Ireland.
Par for the course for Argos. Most of the time there is little availability on deal items, not just Black Friday
Isn’t that par for the course with ARGOS when a deal looks too good to be true, chancers
Black Friday for me will involve downing a few pints of the black stuff after work…who’s with me?
Are their any ads now without that d4 accent ? Jeez
You mean the AmericanD4 accent.
Had a look around a few of the websites this morning and most of them seem to be only offering deals on the crap!
The Harvey Norman beds ad would turn u off them for life …
I just bought 40 toasters and a falafel maker signed by Gandhi
Black Friday Emails coming in all week and the ads on the radio seem to be 50% xmas and the rest BF… Too much in your face at one time
Ryan air 2 quid flights :) Off to Liverpool for the weekend and Cologne in January :) for a combined price of 8 quid
Jaysus I already have enough sh#t I don’t need.. I don’t need anymore crap
Anything in off licence?
18 cans of Bulmers for €20 in SuperValu.
Brown Thomas are doing 20% off online. I know they’re expensive but it may be handy for people being hassled for Michael Kors watches or bags as a Christmas present :D
Utterly pathetic to pay for things you don’t need with money you don’t have.
Any word on Pennies knocking 20% off their €2.50 T-shirts ?
Nothing in penny’s as far as I can see!
What a load of tosh
I’m only buying stuff I’d buy at full price anyway, that way I’m really saving.
And people complain they’re broke at Christmas.
I just got a bargain!
100 euro off a summer camp!
Sorted for next summer!
http://www.connemaramathsacademy.com
Back Friday has even arrived in Dingle Co Kerry
https://www.facebook.com/TheDinglePeninsula/photos/a.561980937163776.103783359.561946240500579/1161093450585852/?type=3&theater
http://img-9gag-fun.9cache.com/photo/a8jG3K1_460s_v1.jpg
This pic sums it up
See how much Ireland has spent already today! http://bit.ly/1Pfozov
Lol @ Easons
PureVPN are selling two years subscription, with smart DNS, for $49.
Ye forgot about @unit7castlebar 25% off everything in-store
Clarks had 20% off… Their adult shoes. Very annoying!
They are full of chemicals mate
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