A 35-year rift between Fianna Fáil and the Blaney organisation in Donegal, which began after the Arms Crisis, ended yesterday when Independent TD Niall Blaney agreed to a merger of the two organisations and became a Government deputy, writes Stephen Collins, Political Correspondent
However a new rift now threatens the party in Donegal as former minister Dr Jim McDaid told The Irish Times late last night that he intends to let his name go forward to the Fianna Fáil selection convention later in the year. He had previously announced his intention to retire from politics, but opposed the merger with the Blaney organisation.
The announcement came as Mr Blaney made a short address to a Fianna Fáil parliamentary party meeting in Leinster House and later expressed delight that the independent organisation founded in 1972 by his uncle, Neil T Blaney, had merged with the party his grandfather Neal Blaney helped to found in 1926.
Referring to the roots of the division after the Arms Crisis, the Taoiseach said in a statement that Neil Blaney's departure from cabinet and ultimately from Fianna Fáil had preceded his time in politics.
"He was prosecuted in the Arms Trial at a time of great controversy. Neil Blaney was acquitted of all charges," said Mr Ahern. "From my dealings with him, I never found any reason to question his integrity or doubt his deep patriotism.
"It is regrettable that it has taken so long to heal old wounds and to reunite the party. In a spirit of reconciliation similar to the peace process on this island, I am glad that the hand of friendship is being extended by both sides and that we can close this long division in our shared history."
During speculation in recent weeks about the merger, Mr Blaney said an apology would be required from Fianna Fáil before it could happen. Asked after yesterday's meeting whether he regarded the Taoiseach's statement as an apology Mr Blaney said: "It is as much of an apology as I expected."
He added: "The goal this week was putting the Arms Trial issues to bed." He had received 100 per cent backing from his organisation and from the Blaney family. His cousin Éamon, who had earlier publicly opposed the move, yesterday wished him well. Mr Blaney said that over the past 25 years, there had been attempts at reconciliation and he was pleased it had finally happened. "The Taoiseach ultimately made this happen. I am pleased he made such efforts to make it happen."
The Taoiseach expressed his delight at the merger, saying he wanted to extend a sincere hand of friendship and to welcome all the new members. "I believe this political fusion will provide an exciting, new dynamism to politics in Donegal, as well as immensely strengthening the Fianna Fáil party, locally and nationally. In particular, I want to pay a special tribute to deputy Niall Blaney and his father, former deputy Harry Blaney," he said.
To soothe the tensions which erupted in the Fianna Fáil organisation in Donegal since merger talks began, the Taoiseach paid tribute to "the immense contribution of Dr Jim McDaid" who, from his time in cabinet, had left a "fine legacy of achievement". Mr Ahern also paid tribute to the other Fianna Fáil TD, Cecilia Keaveney. Party general secretary Seán Dorgan, who was at a meeting with the party organisation in Donegal on Monday, confirmed that a decision on whether to run two or three candidates in the three-seat constituency would be taken later in the year after an opinion poll was carried out in the constituency.