Mary Hanafin faces Micheál Martin ban from Fianna Fáil front bench

Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin is likely to snub ex-cabinet colleague Mary Hanafin’s front-bench ambitions if she wins back her Dáil seat, saying the era of “I’ve served my time so I’m entitled to something” is gone.

The opposition leader made the comments as he strongly suggested his party will instead focus on promoting a new generation of TDs, despite a year of claims that they are plotting to remove him if Fianna Fáil does not regain power.

Speaking to the Irish Examiner before the party’s pre-election ard fheis today, and as Fine Gael launched its first political attack adverts against the opposition group, Mr Martin repeatedly declined to say if he would allow Ms Hanafin’s front-bench return should she win a seat in her Dun Laoghaire constituency.