A Fianna Fáil TD standing for the European Parliament claims the party has given in to pressure to favour her running mate. Ms Rabbitte said the existing split was working well and claimed an “old guard” who want to work for Mr Smith were behind the move. Last week’s Irish Times/Ipsos MRBI European election opinion polls showed an underperformance of the Fianna Fáil ticket in Midlands North West. It followed internal Fianna Fáil chatter that its two candidate strategy was stuttering. Previously, Fianna Fáil had allocated Leitrim, Monaghan, Donegal, Cavan and Louth to Mr Smith, with Ms Rabbitte given Galway, Roscommon, Mayo and Sligo.

Source: The Irish Times May 17, 2019 00:00 UTC