The Fianna Fáil parliamentary party has unanimously supported proposals from the Taoiseach to approve communications within the party, and to give backbenchers more input into policy.
However, proposals to set up an independent committee to represent backbenchers are not to go ahead.
Four meetings will be held during July, at which groups of ministers will address policy areas such as the economy, social issues, agriculture and rural life, and ‘quality of life issues’.
Policy suggestions will then go forward to the parliamentary party think-in in Westport at the beginning of September.
Consideration will also be given to establishing some form of committee to represent backbenchers. However, the membership and functions will be decided by the party leadership.
Noel O'Flynn, Fianna Fáil TD for Cork North Central, said 24 backbench TDs spoke at last night's meeting and none departed from the concept of having a backbench committee.
He said the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, had embraced the idea of input from backbenchers through the establishment of four separate committees.
