FF meeting backs Martin's response to Mahon
A special meeting of the Fianna Fáil Árd Chomhairle held last night has endorsed party leader Micheál Martin's response to the Mahon tribunal final report.
A statement issued following the gathering also expressed "unequivocal condemnation of inappropriate fundraising activity" by party members in the past.
The meeting had originally been called to discuss the proposed expulsion of six party members - including former taoiseach Bertie Ahern and former minister Padraig Flynn - following the findings of the Mahon report.
However the resignation of the six from the party in the week preceding had taken some of the impetus out of the gathering.
"Following the resignation of each of these members, the only item before the Árd Chomhairle was the proposed review of Dublin Central (constituency), which was agreed by consensus, including support from the Dublin Central delegate," the party statement said.
Earlier this week the trustees of St Luke's, the constituency office of Mr Ahern in Dublin's Drumcondra, confirmed the office will be handed over to the party to be used on a national basis by Fianna Fáil.
"It has been a very difficult week for the party, with many members across the country feeling angry and let down," party whip Seán Ó Fearghaíl commented.
"However, there is also a strong sense that the swift and resolute response from the party leadership has established our firm rejection of these practices and can be the beginning of the process of rebuilding trust in politics across the country."
