THE LACK of opposition to the recent, albeit jovial, suggestion by Fianna Fail MEP and TD Pat `the Cope' Gallagher that he might stand again in Donegal South West, has set some of his colleagues thinking. Although Fianna Fail, like other parties, is opposed to the dual mandate, it might in certain cases be a tactical ad vantage to the party.
While Fianna Fail is constantly proclaiming that come the next general election, due around this time next year, it will be back in power, it is no secret that the party is worried about reaching the magic 84 seats with the PDs. Coalition with Labour is viewed in FF as the last resort, despite Labour's recent efforts to reduce the hostility between the two which has existed at all levels since, the fall of Albert Reynolds in November 1994.
Every Dail seat is vital and it is understood that the committee reviewing the constituencies, under the chairmanship of Ray MacSharry, has recommended that where seats held by MEPs might be lost if they vacated them, they should go forward again.
At the moment it looks as if Pat "the Cope". and his dual mandate colleagues Gerry Collins in Limerick West and Liam Hylaad in Laois Offaly will argue that the three of them are needed to ensure the seats. They are expected to offer themselves to the party as Dail candidates. If they get Cabinet posts in the next Government, which may be part of the deal, they will relinquish their Euro seats to the FF list and come the next Euro elections, in June 1999, prepare for another career decision.