Hanafin hopes for Dáil return, but critical of low support for Fianna Fáil

Former Fianna Fáil deputy leader Mary Hanafin says she hopes to make a return to national politics but has criticised the current low support for the party ahead of May’s local and European elections.

Ms Hanafin is the second former senior party figure to highlight Fianna Fáil’s low support in opinion polls after former party leader and taoiseach Bertie Ahern voiced his criticism last week.

The former education minister said she agreed with Mr Ahern’s comments that the party performance in Dublin was “brutal, absolutely appalling”, following one weekend poll which gives Fianna Fáil 9% in the capital.

Speaking to RTÉ radio yesterday, Ms Hanafin said her main focus was now on the next general election rather than the May 23 elections. “I have to say that the reaction of people that I meet on the ground is very encouraging and positive, but whether that would materialise into votes you wouldn’t know,” she said.

Ms Hanafin said she intends to run for a seat in the Dun Laoghaire area, even though the constituency will only have three free seats with the automatic re-election of Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett.

Ms Hanafin, who held a seat there for 14 years, said: “I intend to put my name before the people. The people will decide whether I’m back or not.”

Her comments come after Mr Ahern last week was reported as saying that Fianna Fáil’s performance at the moment was “brutal”.

He was alleged to have said that he “did not think” much of party leader Micheál Martin.

Mr Martin was not available for comment yesterday, his spokesman said.