There are two by-elections pending. Both are Labour seats; the party has a chance of holding one and no hope in the other. Not good news for leader Ruairi Quinn, who is still awaiting the dividend from last year's merger with DL. Because of rows between the new allies, Labour has delayed moving the writ for Dublin South Central to fill the seat left vacant by the death last February of Pat Upton. They say it will do so soon after the Dail returns on September 29th, which means a late October poll. Theirs will be a most interesting convention, as former DL deputy Eric Byrne and a candidate from the Upton/Old Labour camp face each other down.
FF will probably choose either Mary Mooney or Michael Mulcahy, both councillors and former Oireachtas members. They are full of confidence given the disarray in Labour.
The second by-election will be a shoo-in for the Government. Senator Pat Gallagher's resignation has been a blow to Labour, and with only Oireachtas members having a vote, the Government parties will win. Expect much internal lobbying for the nomination.
Just before the Dail returns FF and FG will hold think-ins for their parliamentary parties to prepare for the session ahead. FF will meet in Galway on September 23rd and 24th; FG in Clonmel, to mark the recent opening of the Richard Mulcahy park, on September 22nd and 23rd. Nine frontbenchers will tour the neighbouring constituencies prior to that to stir up the faithful.
Strangely Labour, who met at Dromineer this time last year, and who, some would say, are most in need of an away pep talk, are having no such thing. Can it be because it might all end in tears?