Yes, Minister?

In recent weeks, Mícheál Martin, Uachtarán Fhianna Fáil, has ruled out a comeback to politics by some of his former Cabinet colleagues, including former Tánaiste Mary Coughlan and former Ceann Comhairle John O’Donoghue, stating that their party “needs new blood.”

While other party sources were quoted as saying that Fianna Fáil needed “candidates without baggage” and that running former office holders would provide an “appalling vista”.

Surely Mícheál Martin, as a former Minister for Foreign Affairs, a former Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, a former Minister for Health and Children and a former Minister for Education and Science, will lead by example at the next General Election.