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.