Now they are increasingly being excluded from selecting general election candidates. Brian Cowen and the constituencies committee have already bypassed local organisations by not holding selection conventions in places such as Meath East and Dublin Midwest.

Last week, Wicklow was added to the list where interviews will be held to decide who runs for the party. When Michael Woods announces his retirement next month, a similar approach is expected to be adopted in Dublin North East, where councillor Deirdre Heney is favourite to be chosen to run with sitting TD Martin Brady. Of course, this weekend FF HQ has found a useful role for the the party members . . . its national collection time, and the Soldiers of Destiny will be outside the church gates looking for a few euro.