Why Hanafin is being told 'no chance' after expressing intentions for Áras

Extra.ie​

2 days ago

Former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin has written to every member of the parliamentary party expressing her interest in contesting the upcoming Presidential election.
It is understood that Fianna Fáil TDs, senators and MEPs will be asked to vote to nominate their preferred Presidential candidate next month. Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday categorically ruled himself out of a tilt at the Áras.
Ms Hanafin, who served in the Cabinet for seven years across four different departments, said she believed the party should have a candidate and asked that her name be considered. Former Fianna Fáil minister Mary Hanafin has written to every member of the parliamentary party expressing her interest in contesting the upcoming Presidential election. Pic: Gareth Chaney/Collins Photos
In an email to members, seen by Extra.ie, Ms Hanafin wrote: 'I write in connection with the forthcoming Presidential election. I believe strongly that Fianna Fáil should contest this election to ensure our values are reflected in the debates on the future of our country.'
She added: 'After 30 years as an elected Fianna Fáil representative, including 11 as a Government minister, I would like to express my interest in contesting this election.'
Ms Hanafin said she looked forward to setting out her vision for her candidacy when the parliamentary party returns from the Dáil summer recess. Ms Hanafin, who served in the Cabinet for seven years across four different departments, said she believed the party should have a candidate and asked that her name be considered. Pic: Leon Farrell/Photocall Ireland
'We do not know yet what the selection process will be but I look forward to setting out my vision at that stage,' she said.
'In the meantime, I will continue to attend events around the country, make good use of time and hopefully meet you on my travels. I look forward to speaking with you personally and I wish you a well-deserved rest and enjoyable holiday.'
Ms Hanafin has previously butted heads with party leadership, and was accused of 'disloyalty' when she ran for a council seat in south Dublin against Mr Martin's wishes. Ms Hanafin has previously butted heads with party leadership, and was accused of 'disloyalty' when she ran for a council seat in south Dublin against Mr Martin's wishes. Pic: Colin Keegan, Collins, Dublin.
Several TDs told Extra.ie that they did not believe that Ms Hanafin would be successful in getting the party's backing to contest the election.
'She's certainly determined, but I don't think she has any hope of getting the nomination,' one TD said. 'No chance,' said another TD bluntly when asked about Ms Hanafin's prospects.
Meanwhile, Mr Martin said he is 'definitely not' going to contest the Presidential election. 'I was elected, you know, I went to the people to say I wanted to serve Cork South-Central and I wanted to lead Fianna Fáil into Government,' he told RTÉ's Today With Claire Byrne yesterday. Taoiseach Micheál Martin yesterday categorically ruled himself out of a tilt at the Áras. Pic: Stephen Collins/Collins Photos
'I made that obligation to the public, and that's the context. No disrespect to the Presidency or anything, but I gave commitments to the people that I would serve in Dáil Éireann for the next five years, and that is what I'm going to do.'
Mr Martin said the party had been taking 'soundings' from within the parliamentary party about prospective candidates, adding he was not responsible for the party being linked with several potential candidates.
'A lot of names have been floated in association with Fianna Fáil. I'm not responsible for the flotation of any of those names, just to make that very clear,' he said. The Fianna Fáil leader also said he had not met with Ulster University professor Deirdre Heenan about being the party's candidate in the November election. Pic: Sasko Lazarov/Photocall Ireland
The Fianna Fáil leader also said he had not met with Ulster University professor Deirdre Heenan about being the party's candidate in the November election.
Several reports have stated that Ms Heenan has met with Fianna Fáil party officials about the prospect of running under the Fianna Fáil banner. In contrast to Ms Hanafin, Ms Heenan received a broadly positive reception from TDs and senators when they were contacted by Extra.ie and asked if they would support her.
Several of our party sources said they first came across Ms Heenan when she spoke at a party event in UCD to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement (GFA).
'In some ways I wasn't surprised to hear her name as she ticks a lot of Mary McAleese boxes,' they said. 'She was very impressive when she spoke at the Good Friday Event and would fit the mould of what Micheál [Martin] would want.'
At the event, Prof. Heenan was on stage alongside former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, his former adviser on Northern Ireland and ex-minister Martin Mansergh, as well as Mr Martin. 'She was very impressive, and really challenging about the GFA,' the source added.
'She spoke about how too many people sit back and applaud the GFA when in her view it is not complete and that we can't afford to rest on our laurels.'
The source added: 'She was the most impressive speaker that day, I remember that.'
In 2012, Prof. Heenan was appointed by outgoing President Michael D Higgins to his Council of State as one of the seven personal nominees of the Head of State.
The Council of State advises the President when they are considering referring a bill to the Supreme Court to test its constitutionality, refusing to dissolve the Dáil on the advice from the Taoiseach or declaring a state of emergency.