SEAN Haughey, who lost his Dáil seat last year, is making a cautious return to politics starting from the grassroots up.
Mr Haughey has been out of the public eye since the 2011 General Election after receiving just 13 per cent of the vote in Dublin North Central.
He has now dusted himself down and has succeeded in being appointed as a Fianna Fáil area representative for the Artane/Coolock district with a view to contesting the 2014 Local Elections.
It’s a case of back to basics for Mr Haughey who served as a TD for 19 years.
Recovery
It’ll be a tough road to recovery for the son of the disgraced late Taoiseach Charlie Haughey, who was a junior minister during Brian Cowen’s disastrous reign in power.
He’s confident, though, that there is still a lot of goodwill and support out there for him.
“I didn’t think that the result of the general election was a personal verdict on me,
? Mr Haughey told Northside People.
“I think it reflected the anger that was out there for the Government at the time.
“It’s going to be a long road back for the party and it’ll take time to rebuild the trust of the people but it’s a challenge I’m happy to take on by starting again at grassroots.
“The party needs to reinvent itself as a grassroots party instead of a party that’s run from the top down.
“We need new policies for the new times we’re in and we need to present a new image with new people, as well as experienced politicians.
“And we need to reconnect with the electorate.
?
Mr Haughey believes time has moved on and his name is no longer associated with the dynasty and legacy of his late father.
Legacy
“It’s not an issue,
? he insisted.
“Obviously my father’s legacy divides people and attracts both negative and positive support.
“But I’ve been a public representative in my own right and I think things have moved on considering my father left politics in 1992.
?
Courses
Since losing his Dáil seat, Mr Haughey
“took some time out
? and undertook a number of back to education courses.
He said the decision to return to local politics was not taken lightly but he’s now certain that he wants to be involved again.
Mr Haughey, who became the youngest ever Lord Mayor of Dublin in 1989, is confident he can restore the faith of the electorate by championing the cause of those at ground level.
Experience
“I believe that I can use my considerable experience to tackle the many problems which now confront us and to fight for improved services and facilities for the local community and for the city as a whole,
? he added.
“As a former Lord Mayor of Dublin I am deeply committed to local government and to ensuring that there is strong leadership on Dublin City Council.
?