Martin defends decision to back Hazel Chu's Seanad bid

The Arts Minister said she was asked to back a candidacy and she did that to help promote more women in politics.

Catherine Martin said: "I am a woman in politics who has spent her life seeking to support women getting into politics." Picture: Eamon Ward

Arts Minister Catherine Martin has defended her decision to back Hazel Chu’s bid for Seanad Éireann, against the express wishes of party leader Eamon Ryan.

Ms Martin, Green Party deputy leader, has revealed she has called on three senators — minister Pippa Hackett, Pauline O’Reilly and Roisin Garvey — to witdraw a motion of no confidence they tabled in Ms Chu, the Lord Mayor of Dublin.