The Labour Party is targeting 14 extra Dáil seats in the next general elections, including ambitions to win second seats in Dún Laoghaire, Wicklow and Dublin South Central.
Labour has recruited a second Clonmel councillor from the organisation of Independent Socialist TD Séamus Healy, and says it will challenge to regain a seat for the party in Tipperary South in the next general election.
Party leader Pat Rabbitte yesterday announced the recruitment of Cllr Darren Ryan (23) at the beginning of his parliamentary party's two-day meeting in Clonmel. Mr Ryan joins the party months after Cllr Phil Prendergast left the Clonmel Workers and Unemployed Action Group to join Labour.
Ms Prendergast, a very strong electoral performer in last year's local elections, is now the favourite to win the party nomination to contest the general election. Referring to Mr Ryan's joining, Mr Rabbitte said: "This development makes me more confident than ever that, at the next election, Labour can retake the seat it held for so many years in South Tipperary."
Yesterday Labour TDs and senators heard strategy presentations from Mr Rabbitte and senior party staff.
In addition to the constituencies where Labour hopes to add to existing TDs, the target seats, according to a senior party source, are Cork South Central, Cork South West, Dublin North Central, Dublin Mid West, Dublin South, Dublin South Central, Kerry North, Louth, Sligo/North Leitrim, Tipperary North and Tipperary South.
Despite the Government's repeated declarations that it will run the distance, Labour intends to be ready to go to the country from May 2006.
Meath East candidate Cllr Dominic Hannigan, who is regarded by the party as one of its best hopefuls following his performance in the Meath byelection earlier this year, offered his experience of campaigning in the key commuter belt constituencies.
Party organisers are expected to discuss the timing of the holding of the selection convention in Dublin South at a meeting this week. Alex White and Aidan Culhane are expected to throw their hats in the ring in this constituency. There is also Lettie McCarthy.
The party has yet to decide where to run the party's unsuccessful Dublin European Parliament candidate Ivana Bacik - though she could run in Dublin South East, Dún Laoghaire or, indeed, in Dublin South.
Each constituency organisation is to be given longer-term targets, even in places where the party organisation is currently weak, such as Donegal.
"Every organisation will be told to have people ready to run in the local elections in 2009. Every place needs to be building a base," one source said.
Though the party acknowledges that an election is unlikely next year, Labour insists that it will be ready from May.
