Fianna Fáil has indicated that its independent review into the unsuccessful presidential campaign was not completed, as expected, last night.
In a statement, the party said: “While the aim for publication was 12 November, the chairman and committee members need to conduct an independent and fair process and this may take longer than originally planned,” reports RTE.
According to the review’s terms of reference, the report was meant to be finalised by next Wednesday; then delivered to party leader Micheál Martin for consideration; and eventually shared with the parliamentary party for discussion during one of the regular meetings of TDs, senators, and MEPs.
It is believed that the independent review team has already held a substantial number of individual meetings with members of the parliamentary party, reports RTE.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin is also scheduled to be interviewed by the review team, although he is currently in Brazil for the UN climate summit, known as COP.
He is due to return to Ireland later tonight, reports RTE.
Earlier this week, Mr Martin noted that the review appeared to be progressing as planned.
He said in Brazil: “That’s on track as far as I can see. But, I mean, we’re going to deal with this and be quite calm about it. No big deal,” reports RTE.
The decision to carry out the independent review came last month after the unexpected withdrawal of Fianna Fáil’s candidate Jim Gavin — a move that caused significant tension within the party, much of it directed at Mr Martin.
The process is being led by an external legal professional, supported by an independent secretariat, and involves three members of Fianna Fáil’s parliamentary party: Tom Brabazon, Eamon Scanlon, and Margaret Murphy O’Mahony, reports RTE.
One politician who was interviewed as part of the review said the process was being handled in a “very thorough manner,” reports RTE.
Cork North Central TD Pádraig O’Sullivan described the likely delay of the independent review into the party’s presidential campaign as “very disappointing.”
He said: “The parliamentary party entered the process in good faith and were reassured by both the leader and [party] whip in recent days that it was on track,” reports RTE.
“There was a considerable amount of time spent, nearly 2 weeks initially, where very little was done in terms of the review. It has picked up pace in the last week but this delay was expected given the slow start,” reports RTE.
When asked about the delay, Fianna Fáil Cork East TD James O’Connor commented: “The court of Louis XIV have preoccupied themselves with composing lists, instead of participating in the review of which they self created the terms of reference,” reports RTE.
The party’s full statement read: “The independent review is ongoing and while the aim for publication was 12 November, the chairman and committee members need to conduct an independent and fair process and this may take longer than originally planned,
“It is most important that this review is independent as agreed by the parliamentary party,” reports RTE.
At last Wednesday’s Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting, a number of TDs voiced frustration that their names appeared on a supposed list of rebels planning a no confidence motion against party leader Micheál Martin.
Those who spoke on the issue included James O’Connor, Pádraig O’Sullivan, Erin McGreehan, Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere, and Seán Ó Fearghaíl, reports RTE.
The list, containing names of those described as rebels and members of the old guard, was circulated last week.
Fianna Fáil whip Mary Butler is expecting to receive an update from the independent review committee next week, reports RTE.
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