A Fine Gael TD has asked party members in his constituency to support him over his running mate who he has claimed is "assured" of re-election.

Louth deputy Peter Fitzpatrick, who earlier this year announced he was retiring from politics but later changed his mind, made the appeal in a letter to Fine Gael members in the county.

Mr Fitzpatrick, a former manager of the Louth senior football team, said Fergus O’Dowd, his fellow Fine Gael TD and ex-junior minister, is virtually guaranteed his seat.

Mr O’Dowd declined to comment last night, while Mr Fitzpatrick said he stood over his letter.

Dogfight

Mr Fitzpatrick’s letter to members – which was also posted on social media and featured in local newspapers last month – says he is “in a dogfight for the last seat”.

“All indications are that my running mate, Fergus O’Dowd, is doing very well and is assured of retaining his seat,” the letter says.

"I am in a dogfight for the last seat with Sinn Féin and Fianna Fáil. In order for Fine Gael to retain the second seat, I will need every vote possible. For this reason I am asking you personally for your number one vote at the next general election and ensure that Fine Gael returns a second TD alongside Fergus."

Meanwhile, the Fine Gael executive council is expected to add two more female candidates to election tickets at a meeting today. The move will ensure it complies with the gender quota rules, which stipulate that 30 per cent of a party’s candidates must be female.

Clare

Ennis-based councillor

Mary Howard

is to be added in Clare, where she will stand alongside sitting Fine Gael TDs

Joe Carey

and

Pat Breen

.

In Wexford, Wexford town-based Julie Hogan will be added to the ticket with Senator Michael D'Arcy and Government Chief Whip Paul Kehoe.

However, party sources said another number of female candidates would be added across the country to ensure Fine Gael will still comply with the gender quota rules if some candidates drop out. Constituencies likely to see additions, either male or female, are Cork North Central, Donegal, Dublin Fingal and Louth.