FIANNA FÁIL IS in turmoil today, following the announment of former junior minister Mary Wallace that she will not contest the next election, and the surprise call by Ned O’Keeffe for Taoiseach Brian Cowen to resign on the same day.

Cork East deputy Ned O’Keeffe said that although Brian Cowen had “the best interests of the country at heart” he had lost the confidence of the public. He said that Cowen ought to resign immediately.

A total of 13 sitting Fianna Fáil deputies have announced that they will not contest the election since November, the Sunday Times reports. A Sunday Independent/Quantum Research poll today finds that 53 per cent of the public believe such TDs are not contesting the election in order to take advantage of existing pension benefits.

There is growing speculation that the next Fianna Fáil deputy to announce a departure will be Sligo-North Leitrim TD Jimmy Devins.

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Fianna Fáil in turmoil; Wallace becomes latest to announce departure

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