Rousing reception for ff td at weekend ard fhis

Cavan-Monaghan Fianna Fáil TD Brendan Smith received a rousing reception after he spoke at two different sessions at the recent party Ard Fhéis at the RDS, Dublin at the weekend.

However, things didn't go as well for other representatives for the party from the region. Bríd Ní Dholáin from Killeshandra, and Cavan-native Sheila Maguire of Cork-North West, who stood did not get lected onto the Fianna Fail party's Committee of 15.

There was similar disappointment for current Cathaoirleach of Cavan County Council Shane P O'Reilly, and potential Cavan-Monaghan General Election candidate Margaret Conlon from Monaghan who stood for election as Vice Presidents, but failed to make the cut.

Although the party looked to have a low profile at the Ard Fhéis judging by the number of motions put forward by local Cummanns listed on the Ard Fhéis Clar, it is understood that many speakers from the region were involved in active and lively debates during

Deputy Smith, who is party spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade and Border Region Development, outlined the party’s key positions on international affairs and also the need to implement fully the Good Friday Agreement, and he has also proposed the creation of a new border development zone.

“Fianna Fáil is committed to an Irish foreign policy that promotes and protects the interests and values of the Irish people. Our policy is rooted in the primacy of human rights, the promotion of the international rule of law and democratic values,” he said.

Proposing the establishment of a Border Development Zone to further integrate infrastructure and public services in certain key areas such as health, broadband and other utilities between the Republic and the North, he added that job creation and education should be included in this plan.

“Building on the success of the Good Friday Agreement, Fianna Fáil would encourage the establishment of an institution to record and share the analysis and experience of all the key players from across all communities involved in the agreement, from its inception, to its negotiation and to its slow, sometimes faltering implementation.

'This institution would not seek to prescribe our peace process model, but rather to encourage study visits to Ireland, North and South, and to share lessons and experiences with those who helped build peace on our island,” Deputy Smith told one well-attended Ard Fhéis session.