A Galway Fine Gael TD has said there should be "far greater clarity" when it comes to incorporating people into a parliamentary party. Fine Gael's Galway East Deputy Ulick Burke was speaking in the aftermath of former Fine Gael TD, George Lee's shock resignation from Fine Gael and Dail Éireann on Monday.

Mr Lee, who appeared in Galway on numerous occasions in late 2009, claimed he "had virtually no influence or input into shaping Fine Gael's economic policies," and said his role in Fine Gael and politics in general was "personally unfulfilling".

Deputy Burke said there was no clarity when Mr Lee signed up for the party, with neither party (Mr Lee or Fine Gael) seeming to know what the other expected.

"There is a realisation that things don't happen in politics and things don't change. Nine months was a short period of time for his expectations to be realised."

However, Deputy Burke said the shock resignation would not impact the Fine Gael Parliamentary party, while, he admitted, mistakes were made on both sides.

"I don't think it will have an impact on the party, but it is a setback. The members of the public had expected in George that there would be change. His expectations were too great coming into the party. You have to make your own space, do your own thing, get involved and fight your own corner. I know that from my years in it."

And, Deputy Burke said this is not the end of Fine Gael's effort to attract high-profile candidates like Mr Lee and former GAA President and current MEP for Ireland South, Mr Sean Kelly into the party.

"I don't think that will be end of that. There are horses for courses all the time and there have been people who have come into politics with no background in politics and have taken to it like a duck to water. This one just didn't work," he said.

Comments (0) »

Show/Hide comment form

Name

Email

Title

Comment

Write the displayed characters

Add Comment