FIANNA FÁIL:THE STRONG performance by Fianna Fáil candidate David McGuinness in the Dublin West byelection was yesterday hailed as "a good step in a good direction'' for the party by public expenditure and reform spokesman Seán Fleming TD.
Mr Fleming said the result was even better for Fianna Fáil than it seemed, given that Mr McGuinness had improved on the late Brian Lenihan’s vote.
Mr Lenihan, whose death caused the byelection, had a strong personal following, given his work as a TD and as a minister and Mr McGuinness “managed to garner that vote as well as improve on the core Fianna Fáil vote”.
Mr Fleming said the increase in the Fianna Fáil vote in the constituency had followed a campaign during which canvassers noticed a reduced level of anger against the party on the doorsteps.
The strong byelection performance would give a boost to the rebuilding of the party at grassroots level, he said.
Following a series of meetings with party leader Micheál Martin throughout the country, each member has received a booklet outlining proposed changes to rules and structures. This includes the introduction of a one-member-one-vote system in choosing candidates.
“All these matters will be discussed at an ardfheis early next year,’’ said Mr Fleming.
He added that although Fianna Fáil did not contest the presidency, the campaign had galvanised members of the organisation.
“There were times when an association with Fianna Fáil was portrayed as a plague,’’ Mr Fleming said.
“That angered rank and file members and made them determined to work to rebuild the party,’’ he added.
