The party's constituency committee, which is chaired by Cowen, last week decided to bypass the FF organisation in Galway West after last weekend's acrimonious selection convention. The convention was suspended amid accusations of heavy-handed intervention by FF headquarters.

"They cannot dictate to the organisation on the ground, " O Neachtain said this weekend.

"This decision will do very serious damage to the party and to morale among the people who have to go out and put up the posters and canvass for votes."

Fianna Fail members in Galway West will meet tomorrow evening, with indications that a motion will be passed refusing to accept Cowen's decision to now by-pass the local organisation. Cowen's committee decided to automatically select ministers Eamon O Cuiv and Frank Fahey.

Interviews will be held with four other potential candidates to fill the final slot on the party ticket. However, a majority of delegates favour a four-candidate strategy as Fianna Fail attempts to add to the two seats it currently holds in Galway West.

O Neachtain told the Sunday Tribune that the convention should be reconvened, a move that would be backed by supporters of O Cuiv but would involve a serious climbdown by Cowen. The deterioration in relations between the two sides reached Galway Bay FM last week with Senator Margaret Cox criticising party leadership and headquarters staff.