Published: Wednesday, 9th September, 2009 9:00pm

Athlone to host key FF parliamentary party gathering

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Over 100 Fianna Fáil TDs and Senators are due to descend upon Athlone for the annual Fianna Fáil think-in which is being held here on Monday and Tuesday next.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen and his party members will spend two days discussing the party"s future direction in the Hodson Bay Hotel, on the banks of Lough Ree.

The gathering is expected to be a crucial part in the party leadership's attempts to steady the backbenchers ahead of what's sure to be a vital and tumultous run-in to Christmas, with the Dáil debate on NAMA, the Lisbon Treaty and the budget all ahead of the embattled government.

Deputy Mary O"Rourke lobbied the party"s headquarters to ensure that the seminar was held in her hometown this year. She said it should be an 'interesting' event.

"I lobbied very heavily for this, it"s always been in Galway, Inchydoney or Monaghan and I kept saying to Bertie Ahern why not in Athlone when it"s so central? So this year it"s been arranged for Athlone, and it"s handy for Brian Cowen too," she stated previously.

The conference will be attended by all of the national media outlets, who will be in Athlone for most of the week due to the Green party meetings, which will also be held in Athlone.