Canvassing to persuade Fianna Fáil members in the west of Ireland to back the three-party coalition deal has begun in earnest, with feelings already running high on both sides of the debate. A battle royal lies ahead judging by the position taken by the treasurer of Fianna Fáil’s Ballina Comhairle Ceantar, Noel Mullen, who says coalition with Fine Gael will “finish the party”. If I wanted to vote for Fine Gael couldn’t I have voted for their candidate here myself? I will be voting against this, and I don’t mind saying it,” said Mr Mullen, whose grandfather was a founding member of Fianna Fáil. I’m being canvassed by grassroots members rather than councillors, which is very unusual.

Source: The Irish Times June 16, 2020 17:55 UTC