Fianna Fáil to hold annual party seminar in Athlone

Over 100 Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators are due to descend upon Athlone for the annual Fianna Fáil think-in which is being held here in September. Perhaps in a nod to the local elections results throughout the Midlands, in which Fianna Fáil performed better than almost anywhere else in the country, Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his party members will spend two days discussing the party"s future direction in the Hodson Bay Hotel, on the banks of Lough Ree. In his letter notifying all parliamentary members of the annual party seminar, the party"s Chief Whip Pat Carey wrote that Mr Cowen stressed that it"s an 'important meeting' and has asked for a full attendance over the two days. Deputy Mary O"Rourke lobbied the party"s headquarters to ensure that the seminar was held in her hometown this year. She said it should be an 'interesting' event. 'I lobbied very heavily for this, it"s always been in Galway, Inchydoney or Monaghan and I kept saying to Bertie Ahern why not in Athlone when it"s so central? So this year it"s been arranged for Athlone, and it"s handy for Brian Cowen too,' she said. According to Deputy O"Rourke, partners of the party members and various HQ employees will also be in Athlone for the seminar, so it should plenty of opportunity for local businesses and a boost to the local economy. 'The national press will also be here, it will be great publicity for Athlone and for others to see what"s on offer here,' the Deputy added. The seminar will take place in the hotel on Monday September 14 and Tuesday September 15 and will see the political national media descend upon the town. Although no speakers or an agenda have been announced for the event yet, one big issue sure to be up for discussion will be the campaign for the second Lisbon Treaty, on which a referendum is due in October. Also on the agenda will be the economy, unemployment, party strategy and programme for government. Ambitious TDs may also take the opportunity to bend the Taoiseach"s ear as to why a cabinet reshuffle might be in order. Roscommon Senator Terry Leyden welcomed the announcement that the seminar was being held in Roscommon, and said it was a great boost for both the hotel owner and the general Kiltoom area. The Fianna Fáil press office declined to comment on what the two-day programme of events would entail.