Martin denies U-turn after declaring party’s defence of the Seanad

Fianna Fáil will oppose the abolition of the Seanad, party leader Micheál Martin has pledged.

It appears a significant shift in policy from last year’s election, when Mr Martin vowed to support the upper house’s abolition, provided other reforms were made.

He last night denied it was a U-turn, insisting last year’s policy stance had always been conditional.

The Government is due to hold a referendum next year on the Seanad’s abolition, in keeping with the Coalition parties’ pre-election promises.

Fianna Fáil, for its part, said in its election manifesto: “If our proposals for the reform of the electoral system and of government are enacted, we will support the abolition of the Seanad.”

However, speaking to reporters at his party’s ard fheis last night, Mr Martin said those proposals had not been enacted by the Government and, as a result, Fianna Fáil would campaign to retain the upper house.

“Our assessment is — and we did say this during the election — that if there wasn’t significant accompanying reform to the other institutions of State, then we would not favour the abolition of the Seanad on its own.”

In his opening speech to the ard fheis, Mr Martin suggested the Government’s overwhelming majority in the Dáil meant the Seanad was now crucial for opposition voices to be heard.

“Because the Government has a much lower majority in the Seanad, at the moment they are more willing to listen to other opinions when matters are debated there.”

Abolition of the upper house would only to tighten the Government’s grip on political debate and “reduce the scrutiny of ministers and legislation”, he said.

Elsewhere in the speech, Mr Martin sought to distance himself from one of his predecessors and restore the image of another.

Although not mentioning Bertie Ahern by name, Mr Martin said the party would take “swift and comprehensive action” if the Mahon tribunal report showed anybody in the party had “abused their position”.

While Mr Ahern was not present, his brother, former junior minister Noel Ahern, was in the audience. At the end of the speech, when Mr Martin received the customary standing ovation, Noel Ahern did not appear to stand.

While Mr Martin sought to disassociate the party from Mr Ahern, he praised the “enormous contribution” made by Brian Cowen to “country and party”.

To applause, Mr Martin added: “In his period as taoiseach, he operated under unique pressures and always put the country first. Brian, we thank you for your commitment and contribution to Irish public life.”

The loudest applause from the audience of about 900, however, came when Mr Martin paid tribute to the late Brian Lenihan.

A substantially larger attendance of between 2,000 and 3,000 is expected for tonight’s concluding address by Mr Martin.