Overview
- After consultations, Attorney General Rossa Fanning and returning officer Barry Ryan confirmed the existing ballot will stand, with no use of the Electoral Act’s emergency provision.
- Any votes cast for Jim Gavin will be counted and, under Ireland’s single transferable vote system, may transfer to remaining candidates during the count.
- Fianna Fáil’s parliamentary party meets this evening at Leinster House to review the selection process and campaign collapse ahead of the October 24 poll.
- Taoiseach Micheál Martin says he takes full responsibility, maintains the party conducted comprehensive due diligence, and signals openness to a party review.
- Gavin exited the race at the weekend following reports of an unresolved €3,300 refund to a former tenant, while some party figures accuse the leadership of pressing members to back his candidacy.