Constituency contest: Dr McDaid's decision not to contest the next general election opens up the electoral contest in his Donegal North East constituency where both Fine Gael and Sinn Féin have hopes of winning a seat, writes Mark Brennock.
In 2002 the three-seat constituency elected two Fianna Fáil deputies - Dr McDaid and Cecelia Keaveney - and the Independent Fianna Fáil deputy Niall Blaney. Fine Gael lost out relatively narrowly, and if it has any significant revival in its fortunes from the poor 2002 result the party candidate, Senator Joe McHugh, has a strong chance of election.
There has been speculation in recent months that Mr Blaney could consider rejoining Fianna Fáil, thus ending the post-arms trial schism which saw his late uncle Neil Blaney leave Fianna Fáil and set up the Independent Fianna Fáil organisation.
Mr Blaney could not be contacted for comment yesterday. However, local party sources say his rejoining is very unlikely due to continuing tensions between the two organisations. Ciarán Brogan, who like Dr McDaid is based in Letterkenny, is spoken of as a possible Fianna Fáil candidate. The local constituency organisation will meet next Sunday to decide when the selection convention is to be held.
Taoiseach Mr Ahern will make a pre-arranged visit to the Inishowen end of the constituency on Friday. Sinn Féin's Padraig MacLochlainn got 3,611 votes last time, well short of the 9,087 quota. However, the party expects him to improve significantly on this performance next time.