Fine Gael ‘think-in’ starting today

Next month's budget is expected to take centre stage at the Fine Gael Parliamentary Party 'think-in' which takes place in Kildare today and tomorrow. 

The party will also see if lessons have been learned from their disastrous general election performance which saw them lose 26 seats. 

Senior party members will also discuss the ongoing row with Independent Junior Minister John Halligan over cardiac services in his Waterford constituency. 

This is the Fine Gael parliamentary party's main gathering ahead of the return of the Dáil later this month. 

And there's plenty to discuss – next months budget, the apple tax ruling, Brexit, the housing crisis, stability of the minority government, and no doubt Enda Kenny's leadership will be on the minds of some. 

The party will also conduct a post mortem of the general election – with two reports prepared for TDs, Senators and MEPs. 

But they won't get them in full – instead the inquiries will only be summarised for those present.