IN AN attempt to avoid a split in Fine Gael in North Tipperary in the wake of Mr Michael Lowry's resignation, the Taoiseach has summoned his councillors and, other key figures from the constituency to a meeting in Dublin.
Following reports that Mr Lowry intends to announce next week his intention to contest North Tipperary as an Independent Fine Gael candidate, Mr Bruton asked the constituency's local public representatives at short notice to meet him yesterday in Government Buildings to discuss how Fine Gael in North Tipperary was responding to Mr Lowry's exit from the party
The meeting was told that the Fine Gael convention to select a candidate to contest the constituency in the election would take place on March 20th and only one candidate was to be put forward. Mr Bruton said he realised some members of the local party organisation face a "difficult choice" in deciding whether to support Mr Lowry if he sought reelection. However, he asked that they make their choice "without acrimony or rancour". The last few months had been "difficult for all" within the constituency and national organisation.
There is a widespread expectation in North Tipperary that the decision of the party leadership not to ratify his nomination as a Fine Gael candidate will lead to a split in constituency ranks. There are also predictions that deep internecine wrangling could arise as Mr Lowry declares his intention to stand for election, a development the Taoiseach is anxious to avoid.