The political parties have seen off a tentative proposal by RTE that the televised time of the leaders' addresses to ardfheiseanna should be earlier than the established 8 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Saturday. According to one party organiser, "We have firmly resisted all plans to move us to a time normally reserved for children". RTE has now pledged there will be no change before the next general election, which will probably be in two or three years' time.
The arguments were solid on both sides. RTE says viewing figures dropped during the hour, which was bad for both, and that by running up to the 9 p.m. news they had very little time to prepare a proper package for the audience tuning in then. The parties said their slot was established, and while they agreed to more flexibility in the leader's speech, with video inserts and so forth, there was no way they would give it up. Those who control the purse strings won the day.
The matter came to a head recently because it's conference-time again. The general election was 18 months ago and the main parties haven't held any major get-togethers since. Now, with the European and local elections in sight (they will be held together on June 11th), ardfheiseanna - viewed as great launching pads for any candidate or campaign - are on the agenda.
Democratic Left, with much to discuss, planned to be first, and booked the Royal Marine Hotel in Dun Laoghaire for November 14th. Now they may postpone the event because of lack on progress on the merger talks with Labour, blamed (with various degrees of emphasis according to source), on the complication of the Cork by-election, on foot-dragging by those who fear for their seats and/or jobs, and on general uncertainty as to what the future holds.
Fianna Fail is next with an ardfheis in the RDS on November 20th and 21st for 5,000 delegates. It will hail Bertie as chief, praise the peace agreement, revel in the success of the economy and, while glossing over three by-election defeats, predict huge success in June.
Fine Gael will be in the RDS on February 12th and 13th, by which time it will have its June candidates in place. Its theme will be "Back to Government". Labour is scheduled for Tralee in May (the venue is to thank Dick Spring for all the success he brought the party).
The Progressive Democrats will hold their ardfheis in Dublin in April. The PDs are in the process of appointing a new general secretary, and a rejuvenation of the party is underway following recent election setbacks. Hard as it is to make an impact as the junior partner in Government, the PDs expect to have a new look and a revitalised platform in time for the June elections.