Three senior Fianna Fáil TDs have urged that the party’s internal review of its presidential campaign be released without delay.
In a joint statement, Willie O’Dea, Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher said party members, especially those in the Oireachtas, “deserve transparency and respect”, reports RTE.
They said members of the parliamentary party must be afforded sufficient time to read the report in full, consider its findings and to “discuss its implications for the future of the party at a special Fianna Fáil Parliamentary Party meeting”.
“We need a frank and informed discussion,” they said, reports RTE.
The review was commissioned to examine the steps taken during the identification and selection of Jim Gavin as Fianna Fáil’s presidential nominee, and to assess the basis on which he was chosen as a candidate.
Last week, party leader Micheál Martin said the report into the party’s presidential campaign would be published “before Christmas”, reports RTE.
A spokesperson for the Fianna Fáil leader said he had not yet received a copy of the completed report.
The committee overseeing the review is expected to meet tomorrow to finalise outstanding issues ahead of publication, reports RTE.
The senior TDs said the ongoing leaking of material from the report is “damaging Fianna Fáil’s reputation”, adding that the leaks have eroded trust within the party and are “unacceptable”.
“The leaks point to a lack of candour within Fianna Fáil. This lack of candour contributed to the current debacle and seriously weakened confidence in our internal decision-making,” reports RTE.
“Accountability is now essential if we are to restore trust and credibility,” reports RTE.
The TDs said the controversy should not be allowed to overshadow the “historic milestone that is Fianna Fáil’s centenary”, reports RTE.
“The public expects better from us. We insist that the full report be published now, without any delay,” reports RTE.
“Then the facts can be faced squarely, and responsibility accepted,” reports RTE.
“Then Fianna Fáil move forward with unity, and purpose and commence its second century of service to the Irish people,” reports RTE.
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