FF senator lashes out at Martin’s Seanad plan

ONE of Fianna Fáil’s leading senators last night branded Micheál Martin’s bid to get only approved candidates into the upper house as “undemocratic” as she revealed she was quitting the Oireachtas.

Mary White expressed alarm at Mr Martin’s agenda and said she would not stand in next month’s elections after eight years in the Seanad.

Mr Martin sparked outrage among some senators when he made it clear he wanted to use the upper house to help rebuild Fianna Fáil by getting younger and more diverse candidates into the Seanad at the expense of existing members.

Ms White hit out at the move, insisting it was short-sighted.

“I think it’s undemocratic basically. It’s all about experience for God’s sake, the experience you have.

“The senate was never meant to be used to get experience for people wanting to go into the Dáil.

“I think we need diversity, but we can’t all be the same age.

“Why did he say he was going to abolish the Seanad, and now this?”

Mr Martin is set to produce his list of hand-picked “approved” candidates he wants FF councillors and Oireachtas members to back. For example, political reform spokesperson Avril Power, who failed to win a Dáil seat, is tipped as one of Mr Martin’s preferred candidates for the upper house.

With the party’s fortunes in dire straits, with just 20 TDs and no women deputies, strategists believe FF could only get a dozen senators elected and want to restrict candidates to around that number.

But in a backlash against Mr Martin, 21 FF candidates were nominated from designated bodies that represent specified vocational interests.

Ms White’s name appeared on that list, but she has now backed out of the race after attacking Mr Martin’s stance.