Former government minister and MEP Gerry Collins has been drafted in by Fianna Fáil to oversee a major reform of the party in Kildare North, amid ongoing concerns about the local organisation in the constituency.
The move is the latest twist in attempts by the party's headquarters staff to tackle problems in the constituency, which has been riven by division since the former minister for finance Charlie McCreevy left for Brussels last year, and after a poor performance by the party in the subsequent byelection.
It follows on a last-minute intervention by Fianna Fáil's national headquarters last week, when it cancelled the party's selection convention at 24 hours' notice, to the fury of many local activists, and also indicated that the candidates for the general election would not be selected for a number of months.
In a letter to the constituency's comhairle dáil cheantair last night, Fianna Fáil's general secretary moved for a compromise and has proposed a selection convention for January 24th.
However, his letter states this has to be accompanied by a major reform of the local organisation and a comprehensive campaign plan by the candidates.
He has also warned them that the national executive of the party could decide to deselect any candidates between now and the general election if they fail to abide by the reform plans.
The candidates selected in January will also have to provide detailed campaign plans within three weeks for approval and party officials will work with them to ensure they adhere to the plans, the letter states. The local organisation was informed that Gerry Collins was also being appointed to oversee the reform of the local organisation.
Mr Collins has already overseen a similar project in Mayo.