FINE Gael members in Wicklow who left the party in 1991 after Senator Shane Ross was imposed on the party ticket for local elections have welcomed Mr Ross's resignation.
The activists left when party leader Mr Bruton insisted on imposing Mr Ross. They formed the Voice of Wicklow, Independent Wicklow Alliance in 1992. Yesterday group vice chairman Mr John Ryan called on the Taoiseach to apologise for his actions in 1991.
"Contrary to the party leader's intention that Senator Ross's arrival on the scene would lead to Fine Gael winning two seats in Wicklow, the party now faces the very real prospect of having no Wicklow representation in the next Dail as the West Wicklow sitting TD, Godfrey Timmins, has yet to declare his intentions," Mr Ryan said yesterday.
Mr Bruton had imposed Mr Ross as a "parachute candidate" six years ago despite "massive opposition from sitting local representatives and 90 per cent of the local party organisation".
The objectors, said Mr Ryan, had always said Mr Ross would not win a seat and "was simply using the party as a vehicle for his own personal aims. One doesn't want to say `we told you so' but it's hard not to," said Mr Ryan.
Senator Ross resigned from Fine Gael last week after he voted against the Government on the Universities Bill. Mr Ryan said yesterday that Mr Bruton should now recognise the mistake he had made and the hurt he had caused "to the hundreds of former Fine Gael party members in Co Wicklow". Mr Ross should also resign his seat on Wicklow County Council, to which he was elected as a Fine Gael candidate, said Mr Ryan.