Labour returns to roots to plan strategy
The Labour Party returns to its roots in South Tipperary this week where TDs and Senators gather to plan a strategy to form the next government with Fine Gael.
Clonmel, where the party was founded in 1912, is also the base of newest candidate, Cllr Phil Prendergast who is aiming to win back the old Labour seat in the constituency.
Cllr Prendergast and her current running mate Cllr Denis Landy drew nearly two-thirds of the vote in the 2001 by-election forced by the death of party stalwart Michael Ferris.
The prospects for victory are strong this time around and Labour strategists hope holding the two-day parliamentary party meeting in Clonmel will boost election hopes.
“The meeting will focus on preparing for the new Dail term, selecting of candidates for the forthcoming General Election campaign and common policy initiatives with Fine Gael,” a party spokesman said.
The think-in includes a debate on economic outlook and enterprise strategy featuring Forfas chairman Eoin O’Driscoll and ESRI economist John Fitzgerald.
The TDs and Senators will also receive a presentation on BreastCheck, the national breast screening service for women.
The lack of BreastCheck services in the south and west was the subject of a major Labour Party campaign this year and a Dail motion before the summer recess.
Health Minister Mary Harney has promised to roll out the service on a nationwide basis by 2007.
Unsuccessful Meath by-election candidate Cllr Dominic Hannigan will also distil his experiences from that contest to brief party members on core issues in ’commuter belt’ constituencies in the forthcoming General Election.
The Meath Co Council member, who almost trebled the party’s vote in the Royal County, will be running in newly-created East Meath constituency.
As the pre-Dáil season continues, the Green Party has chosen the Burren region in north Co Clare for their two-day parliamentary party meeting at the weekend.
Sinn Féin is expected to announce a mid-week get-together while the Independent TDs are also due to meet before the Dáil resumes on September 28.
