WHATEVER effect the drip-drip of accusations and revelations about shady finances in Fianna Fail in the Haughey era are having on the stability of the Coalition, the reputation of the banks and on the public; they are having a huge impact within the party, and the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, is making an all-out effort to stem the rising disillusionment. Despair, anger and fear are just some of the words used to describe the mood which is particularly evident among younger members, both inside and outside Leinster House. Indeed, some argue that the party will not recover until everyone from those bad days is purged.
Fear was evident at the FF parliamentary party meeting this week and the Taoiseach has indicated that accusations will be handled in a more combative, as opposed to explanatory, manner in future. The change started this week. FF is fighting back and dropping the sad, apologetic tone.
The gung-ho mood at the Fine Gael Ardfheis last weekend - buoyed up by the Flynn affair, and the tribunals which allowed the main opposition to hone in on the sleaze issue and attack Bertie - has greatly alarmed Fianna Failers. They dread their fate in an early election. Drastic measures are necessary. Hence the unprecedented suggestion that three former ministers:
Charles Haughey, Ray Burke and Padraig Flynn should be suspended from the party - but they are no longer members.