Fianna Fáil headquarters could have difficulties convincing the party's grassroots to accept its candidate strategy for the European elections in the North-West constituency at a selection convention today.
Party sources said last night that it was very difficult to predict the outcome of the convention in Roscommon town. "It is a question of just how annoyed delegates feel about party headquarters attempting to impose its will," said a source.
Three candidates are seeking two nominations: the outgoing MEP Mr Seán Ó Neachtáin and the Ministers of State Mr Frank Fahey and Dr Jim McDaid. Party strategists want the two Ministers of State to be the candidates, believing they have the best chance of winning two seats.
However, Mr Ó Neachtáin, who replaced Mr Pat "The Cope" Gallagher, insists his name will go before the convention.
He said yesterday: "I am confident that I can win. I am very encouraged by the feedback from delegates. I had strong support before the postponed convention, and I believe it has increased in some areas. Obviously, there have been slippages here and there because Frank Fahey and myself come from the same constituency."
Delegates, he added, felt they had the rights of delegates to attend a selection convention and have their say.
It is understood that Mr Ó Neachtáin came under strong pressure from senior Ministers to stand aside in favour of Mr Fahey.
The convention will be chaired by the party's national director of elections for the European elections, the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism, Mr O'Donoghue.
He may suggest a voting formula to the 1,100 delegates. This could be that the convention choose a candidate from north and south of the constituency.
Such a formula would see Donegal-based Dr McDaid being automatically selected, with Galway-based Mr Fahey and his constituency colleague, Mr Ó Neachtáin, battling it out for the second place on the ticket.
Delegates may then have to decide if only the counties Mayo, Roscommon, Galway and Clare, from the southern end of the constituency, can vote.
Mr Fahey has canvassed Oireachtas members from the North-West constituency, formerly Connacht-Ulster, for their support. However, Mr Ó Neachtáin has courted the rank-and-file since joining the parliament.
The two other seats are currently held by Fine Gael's Mr Joe McCartin, who is retiring, and Independent Ms Dana Rosemary Scallon. The Fine Gael candidates are the Mayo-based former TD, Mr Jim Higgins, and the Clare-based former TD and senator, Ms Madeleine Taylor-Quinn. The Independent TD for Sligo-Leitrim, Ms Marian Harkin, announced this week she would be a candidate.
