An internal analysis by Fianna Fáil has reportedly concluded that the party is facing an organisational crisis and needs to both boost and invigorate its membership.
Reports this morning said the analysis had found that membership was somewhere between 15,000 and 20,000, less than half the level estimated by party officials.
It also found that Fianna Fáil's grassroots organisations were ageing and disengaged, with almost half of party activists over 55 years of age and a majority of local organisations meeting just once-a-year or less.
This morning's reports said Fianna Fáil was planning to respond by re-organising and mounting a major recruitment drive in the coming weeks.