Bertie’s Seanad choice a political payback?

WHEN reporting on the appointment of Eoghan Harris to the Seanad to replace Maurice Hayes as the sole non-Fianna Fáil member among the Taoiseach’s 11 nominees, it was surely worth noting that while Mr Harris is a journalist with the Sunday Independent, Mr Hayes is a director of Independent News and Media, the group which owns that particular newspaper.

This appointment comes shortly after the revelation that senior Fianna Fáil figures, including Finance Minister Brian Cowen, met with Tony O’Reilly, chief executive of Independent News and Media, shortly before the recent general election was called.

Even a schoolchild could put two and two together.

The Government has said on many occasions that it would favour the representation of voluntary organisations, charities and marginalised sections of society in the Seanad.

It would seem, however, that the Taoiseach feels there is only one organisation, apart from Fianna Fáil, which is worthy of Seanad representation.

Barry Walsh

Brooklawn

Clontarf

Dublin 3