Blow for Fine Gael as Yates to leave
Fine Gael is set for further strife with the news that senior party member Ivan Yates is to quit the Dail at the next general election.
Newspaper reports indicate that the 41-year-old Wexford deputy will announce his decision in the next 24 hours.
A former Agriculture Minister, Deputy Yates has been a key figure within the party and has been regarded as one of its top performers in opposition.
According to reports, Mr Yates wants to spend more time concentrating on his family and business interests, which include a string of betting shops.
In the recent no confidence vote, he was a firm supporter of John Bruton and has not declared who he is supporting in the current leadership race.
Indeed, there was a degree of surprise when he announced after Deputy Bruton was deposed that he would not be putting his name forward.
