Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny is to appoint a politician to be the party’s director of elections following the announcement that a senior party strategist will no longer continue in the role.
A party spokesman confirmed that Frank Flannery’s role as director of elections came to an end last Friday but said he would continue in the role he holds as director of organisation and said Mr Kenny had "full confidence" in him.
There was some speculation in reports today that Mr Flannery had been “demoted” after remarks he made in a personal capacity ahead of last Friday’s local and European elections.
“Frank’s role as director of elections finished up on Friday. The leader is going to appoint a new director of elections whenever that comes about," the spokesman said.
He said that person would “probably be a politician”, in the same way that Fianna Fáil appoints political people to such roles.
He said Mr Flannery retains his role as director of organisation and, as such, would still be a “key member of the team”.
“He retains the leader’s full confidence and support.”
The spokesman said Mr Flannery knew that his role as director of elections finished on Friday. There was no “rolling position” and it was an appointment normally made six to nine months ahead of any given election.
Mr Flannery indicated in an interview at the end of May that Fine Gael would, at some point, be prepared to discuss cooperation with Sinn Féin in order to make up a coalition with itself and the Labour Party.
But Mr Kenny immediately distanced himself from the remarks and said they did not represent Fine Gael policy.
“I reminded him of his responsibilities. Frank Flannery does not determine what Fine Gael policy is. I enunciated that. It’s very clear,” Mr Kenny said.