The increasingly bitter row over candidate selection is likely to delay the completion of the merger between the local Fianna Fail organisation and the old Blaney-led Independent Fianna Fail grouping. The election of new branch officers at this week's meetings is supposed to allow delegates for a selection convention to be chosen.

The delay in holding a convention . . . or ratifying the sitting party TDs . . . is widely seen as being due to unhappiness at Fianna Fail headquarters over a three-candidate strategy.

Earlier this year, McDaid announced his retirement from national politics. However, following the return of Niall Blaney, McDaid changed his mind. The move upset headquarters' strategy for the constituency, which was based on Blaney and Cecilia Keaveney running for the party.

The row took a further twist this weekend when Keaveney backed the idea of a threecandidate strategy. "If headquarters continue to try to impose their will, it will only get worse. We can beat the odds and deliver three seats if we are allowed to deliver, " Keaveney told the Sunday Tribune.

The controversy will be discussed at a Fianna Fail constituency meeting today. One informed source predicted that without clarification on candidate strategy . . . in effect, the party hierarchy's accepting McDaid's return . . . then a boycott would be sanctioned.