Fianna Fáil headquarters is facing a potentially bitter confrontation with local councillors over its strategy in the new three-seat Roscommon-South Leitrim constituency.
The party's favoured two-candidate strategy would effectively mean the candidates would be sitting TDs Michael Finneran in Roscommon and John Ellis in Leitrim, thwarting the ambitions of Roscommon-based councillors Eugene Murphy and John Cummins.
However, a party spokesman yesterday ruled out a change of mind at headquarters. "The two-candidate strategy is to maximise the party vote and secure two seats," he said.
Mr Murphy and Mr Cummins expressed disappointment yesterday that the party did not intend running a candidate in north Roscommon. They have not ruled out putting their names before the selection convention in Carrick-on-Shannon on September 6th.
Mr Murphy said the matter would be discussed at a Fianna Fáil meeting in Strokestown this week. "I have been asked by many people to run for election, but I need to see what the party is saying locally," he added, "but I am not happy with the strategy. We could be handing over the whole of north Roscommon to Fine Gael."
Mr Cummins said he would not say anything until after a local party meeting in Boyle this week, but added that there had been a tradition of having a Fianna Fáil TD in north Roscommon. "I do not believe we should let that slip," he added.
Meanwhile, another Fianna Fáil county councillor, Rachel Doherty, has indicated her interest in a Dáil nomination. She is a daughter of the late Seán Doherty, a former minister for justice.
The speculation is that Fine Gael will have a three-candidate strategy in the constituency.
Roscommon-based TD Denis Naughten and Senator Frank Feighan are expected to be on the ticket. There is considerable speculation that Gerry Reynolds, a former TD and senator, will be the Leitrim-based candidate.