MR CONOR LENIHAN, son of the late Mr Brian Lenihan, has been added to the Fianna Fail ticket in Dublin South West for the next general election. Mr Lenihan was included in the party team in the five seat constituency at a meeting of the Fianna Fail National Executive in Dublin last night.
He joins the sitting TD, Mr Chris Flood, as well as Cllr Colm McGrath who were both ratified earlier this year at a convention in the party's fight to increase its representation in the constituency.
Cllr Sean Ardagh and Senator Michael Mulcahy were ratified to stand in Dublin South Central. Mr Ben Briscoe, who suffered a major disappointment when the selection convention omitted him, was added last night.
No decision was made on who should join Deputy Joe Jacob and Cllr Michael Lawlor on the Wicklow ticket. But Senator Dick Roche, who lost out at the selection convention by just one vote, remains chief contender.
Contrary to expectations, the Dun Laoghaire constituency was not dealt with by the executive. However Ms Mary Hanafin, daughter of the the anti divorce campaigner, Mr Des Hanafin, has been tipped, along with public relations consultant Mr David Harvey, to join the sitting TD, Mr David Andrews on the ticket The former Minister for Justice, Mr Ray Burke, and Senator G.V. Wright were ratified by the executive in Dublin North, but it is understood that a third candidate will be added later.
Deputy Eoin Ryan, who was selected at the convention, was also ratified in Dublin South East. He will be joined in the four seat constituency by a second candidate at a later stage.
In Dublin North West Mr Noel Ahern, brother of the party leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, was also ratified, along with Cllr Pat Carey. The addition of a third candidate is under review.
The former agriculture minister, Mr Joe Walsh, was rubber stamped as the Fianna Fail candidate in Cork South West. But he will be joined by another candidate in an attempt to take a second seat in the three seat constituency.
Deputy Danny Wallace and Councillor Noel O'Flynn were both cleared by the executive to contest Cork North Central, and Senator Billy Kelleher was added to the ticket.
In Cork North West Deputy Donal Moynihan was ratified, as well as Mr Michael Moynihan and the Charleville based publican, Ms Mary Gough. It has yet to be decided whether to add another candidate.
Deputy Michael Smith and Senator Michael O'Kennedy were both ratified to contest Tipperary North, while in the sister constituency of Tipperary South, Deputy Noel Davern was cleared.
Whether or not a second candidate will be added depends on whether the Ceann Comhairle, Mr Sean Treacy, decides to retire at the next election.
In Kerry North, Deputy Denis Foley was ratified but no decision was made on a running mate.
In Meath the sitting TDs, Ms Mary Wallace and Mr Noel Dempsey, were ratified along with Cllr Johnny Brady.
Deputy Sean Power was ratified in Kildare South while the chairman of the County Council, Mr Sean O Fearghail, was added.
The former transport and tourism minister, Mr Charlie McCreevy, and solicitor Mr Paul Kelly were ratified for Kildare North.
In Limerick East, Deputy Willie O'Dea and Cllr Eddie Wade were ratified to contest the five seat constituency.
The MacSharry Commission, the Fianna Fail body reviewing constituencies and candidate strategy, is expected to continue its work and all conventions are likely to be completed by the end of October.