FIANNA FÁIL leader Micheál Martin has confirmed he will not ask either of the party’s Dún Laoghaire TDs, Mary Hanafin or Barry Andrews, to transfer to the neighbouring constituency of Dublin South.
Minister for Tourism Ms Hanafin became party deputy leader in the new Fianna Fáil front bench announced by Mr Martin yesterday. Mr Andrews was also promoted to the role of health spokesman.
Many Fianna Fáil TDs believed that one of the two TDs, now among the most senior members, of the party would be asked by Mr Martin to transfer to the five-seater Dublin South, where Senator Maria Corrigan is the party’s sole candidate.
Speculation about a move intensified over the weekend when sitting TD Noel O’Flynn agreed to step down in Cork North Central. However, both Ms Hanafin and Mr Andrews maintained no pressure had been brought to bear on them.
The new 21-person front bench included 14 who had not served in Cabinet. The team includes former minister for defence Willie O’Dea.
Another surprising aspect was the inclusion of four new spokespeople who are not TDs. They are Senator Marc MacSharry from Sligo; two Dublin councillors Mary Fitzpatrick and Jim O'Callaghan, a brother of RTÉ presenter Miriam O'Callaghan; and an unelected party member, Averil Power. She is a former special adviser to Ms Hanafin. Ms Power is a candidate for the party in Dublin North East and is married to Fionnán Sheahan, political editor of the Irish Independent.
In relation to candidate selection in problem constituencies, Mr Martin said that the one-size-fits-all strategy did not apply in all places. “In some rural three-seaters, there are geographical considerations that you have to take on board in terms of how many candidates you have. In some urban constituencies, you have to take on board the feedback we have received on the ground.”
Speaking about Dún Laoghaire, he said: “People have long attachments, commitment and engagement with their constituencies as outgoing TDs. That has to be acknowledged through work and family and living and growing up and representing people.”
He said the bottom line for the party was that certain tickets jeopardised the holding of seats. But the party will not alter the arrangements in two other vulnerable four-seaters with two sitting TDs: Limerick East (Willie O’Dea and Peter Power); and Dublin North (Darragh O’Brien and Michael Kennedy). A senior party source said last night that Dublin South remained a concern.
Mr Martin last night announced the party’s election committee. Deputy Tony Killeen will be director of elections while PJ Mara will chair the committee. The committee also includes party general secretary Seán Dorgan and Pat McParland, director of communications.
