Martin defied by former minister

FORMER MINISTER and Seanad candidate Martin Mansergh has become the latest senior Fianna Fáil figure to defy party leader Micheál Martin, saying the Upper House needed “members of substantial experience”.

Dr Mansergh was not on Mr Martin’s preferred list of youthful candidates, but has secured a nomination for the upcoming Seanad elections from an external body, the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association.

“As its name and history suggest, a senate ought to include members of substantial experience.

“The original Irish Free State Senate had an age threshold of 35, whereas the Dáil’s was 21. While no one today would do other than welcome younger members, who can very often bring valuable experience of their own to bear, the Seanad needs members of all age groups and backgrounds,” Dr Mansergh said.

The majority of Senators are elected by members of county councils and city councils, members of the Dáil and members of the outgoing Seanad.

Mr Martin is “respectfully asking” electors to support the 10 candidates on his list as part of the party’s process of “renewal” in the aftermath of a disastrous general election.

However, Dr Mansergh warned that even if the preferred candidates were successful, many areas of the country would remain without Fianna Fáil representation for years to come.

Dr Mansergh lost his Tipperary South Dáil seat last month.

“In the past, the Fianna Fáil party derived its strength as much from its roots which need to be empowered and reinvigorated, as from its leadership,” he said.

“There is not enough evidence that the growing tendency over recent years to centralise selection processes, whether for Dáil, Seanad or council candidates, pays electoral dividends that would compensate for its demoralising effects on different levels of the organisation,” he added.

“The vigorous and undeterred electoral competition for Seanad seats under way countrywide reflects the fact that councillors as well as Oireachtas members have votes and a healthy freedom of choice,” he added.

Sinn Féin leader Gerry Adams yesterday announced the party’s Seanad candidates.

They are Eoin Ó Broin, David Cullinane, Kathryn Reilly and Trevor Ó Clochartaigh.