Old political families show how to keep dynasty going

The answer to the age-old question "what's in a name", is apparently, "a good political advantage" if the weekend's local elections are anything to go by.

In Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council the old political dynasties were alive and well and out fighting. The Cosgrave dynasty - that of the former Taoiseach - returned not only Mr Liam Cosgrave, a former TD for Dun Laoghaire and long-time senator and county councillor, but his relative, Ms Louise Cosgrave, who was returned for Stillorgan.

Stillorgan also returned Ms Fiona O'Malley, daughter of former PD leader Mr Des O'Malley. And to prove that Fianna Fail are not slow at the dynastic business the previously unknown Mr Barry Andrews, son of Dun Laoghaire TD Mr David Andrews, romped home heading the poll in Blackrock.

"Name recognition and position on the ballot paper still count for a hell of a lot," said councillor Mr Donal Marren, who however was well pleased with the election of party colleague Mr Eoin Costello.

Mr Willie Dockrell, whose brother and father served before him, was also elected, while for Ms Niamh Bhreathnach election was something of a personal triumph as she was forced out of elected politics after losing her Dail seat at the last general election.

However, the real success of the day was claimed by Fianna Fail. The party leader on the council, Ms Betty Coffey, said that she had been up against high profile and long-time senators Liam Cosgrave and Helen Keogh and former minister Eamon Gilmore, but had come second only to Mr Gilmore.

Negotiations between Ms Coffey and Mr Gilmore on the balance of power on the new council are expected to get under way immediately, although Ms Coffey has already expressed "tremendous loyalty to Donal Marren and Fine Gael" for the power-sharing arrangement they had enjoyed throughout several councils.

After recounts which went on until 4 a.m. at the Loughlinstown Leisure Centre yesterday the parties performed as follows: Fianna Fail got 10 seats, Fine Gael eight, Labour six, the Progressive Democrats three and the Greens one.