Yates decision leaves Fine Gael struggling

Fine Gael activists in Wexford were reeling yesterday from the news that Mr Ivan Yates has decided not to contest the general election.

Mr Yates's decision, which he is expected to formally announce today, has left the party with a struggle to retain its two seats in a tightly-fought five-seat constituency. ail Minister of State, Hugh Byrne.

"In the past we were able to offer something which Fianna Fail cannot do in Wexford, namely a seat at the Cabinet table," said a local Fine Gael source.

The option of turning to Ms Avril Doyle, a former Minister of State and now a member of the European Parliament, to fill the position would also be problematic.

Ms Doyle's former campaign manager and one-time Fine Gael general secretary, Mr Eddie O'Reilly, has been selected to contest the election from her former base of Wexford town. Mr Michael D'Arcy is seeking to hold his seat from his base in the north of the county, leaving the party with a geographical gap in the centre of Wexford.

Ms Doyle said yesterday that she hoped Mr Yates would change his mind, but said it was probably too late for that.

Mr D'Arcy said he did not wish to comment until after Mr Yates had made a statement.

Mr Yates, who was first elected at the age of 21 in 1981, was the youngest member of three successive Dalai. He was also the youngest member of the Cabinet when he served as Minister for Agriculture from 1994 to 1997.

It is believed he intends to concentrate on running the chain of betting shops owned by his family, Celtic Bookmakers.