The visit by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to the Cavan/Monaghan constituency yesterday morning for the launch of a Fianna Fáil election campaign by a "newcomer" female candidate in the Border five-seater, Margaret Conlon, was marked by a protest by a group of picketers outside a Castleblayney hotel.
Mr Ahern joined party supporters, senior party officials and Oireachtas members for what was described as a "breakfast session". Members of Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and the Green Party were among the group of protesters, which also included members of the Monaghan hospital retention campaign group.
They were protesting over the failure of Government Ministers to meet public representatives in the area on different issues, including the hospital campaign, in recent months.
Mr Ahern made no mention of the protest when he addressed 450 party supporters at the breakfast, but said he was confident Fianna Fáil will secure the election of the new Co Monaghan woman candidate to the Dáil.
He told the large gathering it was significant that - for the first time ever - when meeting media representatives across the country, the one issue that was no longer raised with him was unemployment.
He said this clearly reflected how the Government had made such outstanding progress in creating the climate for "good employment everywhere".
The Taoiseach referred to the Galway water crisis, and said it was "a bit rich" to hear efforts now being made to blame the Government for what was happening in Galway, after they had provided major funding to ensure a good water supply for the area, but found that local representatives could not agree on how to spend the money.
During his speech, Mr Ahern, who received a standing ovation, said he was able to assure them Monaghan hospital will remain open. He promised further major investment in the region, in the wake of the opening shortly of a new bypass on the N2 Dublin/Derry road at Castleblayney.
Senator Francie O'Brien, Monaghan, who chaired the function, said the economic progress made in the Border area under the Taoiseach's term augured well for Fianna Fáil's return to power.