The FF parliamentary party recently met in Kilkenny to review its situation before the Dail reconvened. As is usual on these occasions, there was a social element. With the best voice in the cabinet, Minister for Education Michael Woods sang, as did others. At one stage the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, turned to former Minister Sean Doherty. "Will you sing for us, Doc?" he said. "I thought that's what you were all afraid of, Taoiseach," replied Doherty.
ALL the parties readily admit donations to their coffers have taken a severe knock in the wake of tribunals and inquiries. So new fundraising methods have to be found. Raffles, dances, golf classics, race nights are still plentiful but FF is launching a new venture. Natasha Fennell, the party's recently appointed fundraiser, has organised a brunch in the Radisson Hotel, Stillorgan, Dublin, hosted by junior Minister Mary Hanafin tomorrow. The main draw, who points out loudly that he is not affiliated to the party, is Prof Anthony Clare, who will speak around the theme of his new book - men, families and relationships.
Fearghas O Beara, whom Quidnunc wrote about last week, failed to make it onto Brussels city council last weekend - but so did most of his party. The Christian Democrats took such a hammering that the city now has a socialist mayor for the first time in ages. CD support collapsed from 12,000 votes six years ago to less than 5,000; their seats fell from 13 to four so, under the circumstances, O Beara didn't stand a chance. The socialists and the greens were the winners. But O Beara, who is assistant to FF MEP Gerry Collins, will run again. It was a marvellous experience, he says - and 134 first preferences is not bad for a first-timer and a foreigner.