Gentlemanly practices seem to have broken down within the FF Parliamentary Party, and for the first time in recent years there is an election for the five places reserved for the parliamentarians on the party's national executive.
Discreet canvassing is underway in Leinster House for the postal ballot next week. Six candidates are chasing five seats. Four outgoing members are running - Sean Haughey, Ivor Callely, Dan Wallace and Pascal Mooney. The fifth, Denis Foley, is, as a result of recent events, no longer in the parliamentary party. Normally soundings ensure a nasty contest is avoided, but not this year - Michael Finneran and Michael Kitt are also running - so all have to face the electorate.
