An Ennis Fine Gael Councillor says that anyone chosen to run as the party's third candidate in Clare is at a serious disadvantage.
It's reported that party members are becoming increasingly frustrated with lack of movement ahead of next year's General election.
According to a senior Fine Gael Source, Ennis Councillor Mary Howard was to be announced as the party's third candidate over the weekend.
But The Clare People reports that this was refuted yesterday by the party's Munster secretary, Senators Martin Conway and Tony Mulcahy as well as by Councillor Howard herself.
Ongoing delays and confusion over the selection process is causing anxiety among all three potential candidates, with Councillor Howard reportedly admitting she may turn down an offer to run if its made at this stage.
She says that "whoever is added by HQ will start their campaign some way behind the other parties who have all been canvassing doorsteps for a number of weeks".
She insists that "this will put any candidate subsequently chosen at a serious disadvantage", which she says would make her "think long and hard about running".
