The row over the Fianna Fáil nominations for the North-West European election constituency took a new twist at the weekend, when party members in Galway West and East constituencies called on the Minister of State, Mr Frank Fahey, to withdraw his candidature.
However, the Minister told The Irish Times that the calls were made by two individuals, and he was confident that he had significant support in his own constituency of Galway West.
This has been challenged by sitting MEP Mr Seán Ó Neachtáin, who says that he has overwhelming support for the nomination in both Galway East and West and in three other Fianna Fáil Dáil ceantair areas.
Fianna Fáil believes the two junior ministers, Mr Fahey, and Dr Jim McDaid, have the best chance of securing two of the three seats in the North-West European constituency on June 11th. Party sources have quoted internal research which says that the sitting MEP, Mr Ó Neachtáin, would barely reach half a quota and would be "unelectable".
Mr Ó Neachtáin disputes this and says he is "suspicious" about such research. He said his chances have now been boosted, following the party's decision to cancel the selection convention in Castlebar, Co Mayo, last weekend.
Mr Fahey said yesterday he had been interested in running if party headquarters could ensure that he wasn't competing with Mr Ó Neachtáin for the nomination.
"I think that much of the anger expressed on Friday and Saturday nights in the Galway East and West ceantair meetings related to the party's decision to cancel the selection convention, and this row is now over, as a convention is to be held, and it will decide who will go forward," Mr Fahey said.