Mairia Cahill criticised for not taking part in public debates

The longest-serving member of the Seanad has criticised Mairia Cahill for not taking part in public debates alongside her election opponents.

Cahill is Labour's candidate for the Seanad by-election, voting in which will conclude on Friday, but has not taken part in any public debates.

A Labour spokesman said Ms Cahill was instead canvassing existing TDs and Senators, as they are the only people who have a vote.

In the Seanad today, Senator David Norris said Mairia Cahill should take part in debates, so she can be questioned about her previous membership of a dissident Republican group.

"Of course it is appropriate, it is completely appropriate, there was no standing from this woman here at all questions have been raised about her involvement with a dissident Republican group and there has been no answers whatsoever."