A rift has emerged in Fianna Fail in south Donegal between Minister of State Ms Mary Coughlan and the hotel-owning McEniff family over the staging of a music festival in Bundoran at the weekend.
Thousands are expected to attend the four-day Green Party Music Festival which stars Joe Dolan, Sandy Kelly and Gloria. Bundoran has traditionally drawn most of its visitors from the North and the town is expected to be full for the event.
Mr Brian McEniff, who owns two of the hotels where the festival will be staged, has defended his decision to go ahead with it.
His brother, Sean, a local councillor and the chairman of North West Tourism, has also publicly backed it.
The McEniffs are one of the most prominent Fianna Fail families in Co Donegal.
However, Ms Coughlan said it was incumbent on everybody to follow the Government line to stop foot-and-mouth spreading to the Republic. "We still have to continue to be vigilant until such time as the chief veterinary officer says otherwise." She said it was particularly important in a Border county like Donegal and she stressed that most people had been very supportive.
Mr Brian McEniff told The Irish Times yesterday he would have cancelled the festival if the suspected foot-and-mouth case in Augher, Co Tyrone, had been confirmed.
He believed that because the incubation period for the disease was 14 or 15 days, it was now safe to go ahead with the festival.
He said similar concerts were taking place in other areas and he felt Bundoran was being singled out for criticism. Discos were held over recent weeks in Co Donegal hotels close to the Border, including his own.
He said he had already lost a lot of business, including two large conferences in Bundoran.
Mr McEniff also owns two hotels in Sligo and he said the cancellation of the Sigerson Cup was a big loss as two of his hotels had been half-booked for it. "Things have to return to normality. The authorities in Northern Ireland are relaxing restrictions and football matches went ahead there last night."
He said he believed most of those attending the festival would be from the Republic. Disinfectant mats and foot baths would be provided.