Hanafin defends comment on ‘anonymous’ Fianna Fáil front bench

Former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin this morning defended her description of some members of the party's front bench as "anonymous".

Ms Hanafin, now a Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown county councillor, said when Fianna Fáil was last in Opposition, its spokespeople remained prominent and recognisable.

“I think it’s just an honest comment. There are some people and I couldn’t name what portfolio they hold. I’m not setting out to be damning or be critical for the sake of it,” she said.

A row erupted during the local elections campaign when Ms Hanafin defied the party leadership to contest the elections despite having been told headquarters had changed its mind about her standing.

This morning she said that during the campaign some voters told her they were not ready for vote for Fianna Fáil again. She said the real problem for the party was in Dublin, where it had no TDs.

“It’s been difficult the last couple of years because people aren’t voicing concerns about Dublin,” she said. “It’s affecting our representation everywhere and our connection with over a million people.”

Ms Hanafin confirmed she was interested in contesting the next general election in her former Dún Laoghaire constituency.

“I am, but I’m not so arrogant as to assume that since I was elected to the Council I will automatically be elected to the Dáil. I’d work hard in that direction but not take anything as a given,” she said.

Ms Hanafin said she suspected there might be up to four candidates going forward for selection for the party in the constituency, which falls from a five- to a four-seater for the next general election.

However, the constituency is effectively a tight three-seater the next time out because Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett, who represents Dún Laoghaire, will be automatically returned.

“The Fianna Fáil candidate has to have the potential of getting about 12,000 votes,” she said.

Ms Hanafin lost her Dáil seat in the 2011 general election, when she was deputy leader of the party. She held a number of senior ministries, including minister for education, and was also government chief whip.

In May, she was elected on the first count in the Blackrock ward of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council along with the party’s favoured candidate Kate Feeney, president of the youth wing Ógra Fianna Fáil.