Frances Fitzgerald vows to bounce back as she meets local supporters

By Deborah McAleese, Press Association

Just hours after announcing her resignation as Ireland's deputy premier, a defiant Frances Fitzgerald sent a clear message to her opponents that she was not going away for good.

The outgoing Tanaiste smiled broadly as she arrived at a selection convention in Finnstown Castle, Dublin, on Tuesday night to put herself forward as a candidate in the next general election.

She refused to answer questions from the waiting media as she quickly walked into the venue where she was greeted by her supporters from her Dublin Mid-West constituency.

"I'm not too bad considering all that has happened", she told well-wishers.

Several people offered hugs and words of support to the woman at the centre of a political crisis that almost collapsed the Government.

The selection conventions were convened days ago when a pre-Christmas election looked likely.

Although that election was averted earlier in the day by Ms Fitzgerald's resignation the Government has been badly weakened by the controversy.

It is thought an election could be called within a matter of months.

Despite resigning "for the good of the country" Ms Fitzgerald has remained defiant that her political career was not over.

Shortly after announcing she was stepping down as Tanaiste she went on Twitter to announce: "Just to confirm Dublin Mid-West @FineGael Selection Convention is still going ahead this evening in @FinnstownDublin and I will be putting my name forward for Selection. Looking forward to meeting local members."

The 67-year-old's history with Fine Gael dates back more than 25 years.

Ms Fitzgerald has been a TD since 2011, and also served between 1992 and 2002.