FIANNA FÁIL HAS selected a turnip to stand in the Louth constituency as a compromise over gender quotas. Local party members claim they had no other option as no female candidate was available for selection and they couldn’t select a male to run.

 “It’s a gender neutral compromise and we’re happy with that. It’s not ideal, but it’s within the rules”, said local Fianna Fáil councillor, Billy Smalls.

It remains to be seen if the turnip will be accepted by the constituency’s election officials, but local reaction has be largely positive.

“Fair enough, I suppose, don’t think anyone will notice any difference to be honest. It’s probably fair to say that Fianna Fáil has always run candidates of this calibre in Louth”, said one local.

©Louth Noises News, 2016.