Ó Cuív departure shocks Galway grassroots

Date Published: 29-Feb-2012

Fianna Fail’s rank and file in Galway West were reeling last night after the party’s lone Dail standard bearer for the constituency was effectively forced to resign as Deputy Leader and from the frontbench.

Eamon Ó Cuív’s dramatic departure comes on the eve of this weekend’s Ard Fheis and was in effect forced on him by party leader Micheál Martin as a result of his stated opposition to the forthcoming referendum on the EU Fiscal Treaty.

He said the party leader felt his position on the fiscal responsibility treaty was incompatible with his position as Deputy Leader and as a member of the frontbench.

He said it was "a matter of principle" for him, but it is understood that Deputy Ó Cuív will remain a member of Fianna Fail, and of the parliamentary party.

However, were he to campaign against a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum, it would be hard to see him staying inside the tent – and it would make life impossible for the Comhairle Ceantair in Galway West to work with their own sitting TD.

Deputy Martin confirmed that he had accepted Deputy Ó Cuív’s resignation from both roles.

“Éamon’s refusal to support the Parliamentary Party’s position on the Fiscal Compact meant that it was no longer feasible for him to occupy these roles.

“As the Party prepares for a momentous Ard Fheis this weekend, it is my hope that Éamon will continue to work for Fianna Fáil’s renewal as he has done over the last twelve months. Our Party has led Ireland’s positive and constructive engagement with Europe for generations and I am determined that it continues in this proud tradition,” said Deputy Martin.

Earlier in the day, Deputy Ó Cuív has refused to come out and endorse Fianna Fail’s campaign for a yes vote in the upcoming election on Europe.

In an interview with Radio na Gaeltachta’s Eibhlín Ní Chonghaile yesterday morning, he said he still had to decide whether or not to go with the party stance on the referendum.

He may have felt he could remain within the party despite his opposition, given that he had voted against the first Lisbon Treaty despite being a member of Bertie Ahern’s Cabinet at the time.

Deputy Ó Cuív wanted a full discussion within the parliamentary party before any announcement on Fianna Fail’s stance – but Deputy Martin wanted to make the party’s position clear in advance of this weekend’s crucial Ard Fheis.

See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.