Power fights back

FIANNA Fáil’s nasty and disingenuous reaction to my resignation has confirmed for me that I made the right decision in leaving the party.

Instead of dealing with the serious issues I raised about the party’s lack of vision, policies and leadership, Micheál Martin and others have tried to portray my resignation as a constituency squabble by making the baseless claim that I left because I was afraid I wouldn’t be selected as a Fianna Fáil candidate for the next election.

This is absolutely not the case. Even constituency rivals Sean Haughey and Deirdre Heney have stated on radio that they understood I would be a candidate.

I also believe I had a strong chance of winning a Dáil seat for the party.

As a new candidate in 2011 – Fianna Fáil’s worst ever election – I secured almost 4,800 first preference votes. In a three-seat constituency, I came fourth on the first count by less than 250 votes.

I have worked extremely hard since then, both locally and nationally. Fianna Fáil know this and were briefing the media prior to my departure that they expected me to win a seat next time. Their claims to the contrary over the past few weeks lack any credibility.

The reason I left is simple: I have lost all faith in Fianna Fáil and don’t believe it is fit for Government.

It lacks credible policies on many of the most important issues of concern to Dubliners. From the A&E crisis in Beaumont Hospital to unemployment, Fianna Fáil is quick to criticise, but slow to propose real solutions.

This was a problem two years ago. But as we approach a general election and the selection of the next Government, it is a fatal flaw.

Fianna Fáil is also afraid to take clear positions in debates for fear of losing support. Instead of showing leadership, most of the party’s representatives prefer to sit on the fence and see which way the wind blows.

Fianna Fáil’s approach to the marriage equality referendum was just one example of this. Marriage equality wasn’t just a personal goal of mine – it was official party policy. Fianna Fáil members voted for it at their 2012 Ard Fheis. TDs and senators are bound by the policy decisions of the Ard Fheis and so all had a responsibility to campaign for it.

Despite this, most refused to do so. The message this approach sent to voters was that while the party was officially in favour of the referendum, some Fianna Fáil representatives were not. In a blatant act of cute-hoorism of the worst kind, the party was both for and against the referendum at the same time.

Fianna Fáil’s approach to the referendum symbolised everything that is wrong with the party.

It also confirmed for me that despite the party leader’s talk of

‘new politics’, nothing has changed. Fianna Fáil’s only goal is to win seats and it is prepared to do, and say, whatever is needed to achieve that goal.

My decision to walk away was not a rash or hasty one. I have been unhappy for some time, as Micheál Martin was all too aware. However, I wanted to believe I could help change the party from within. I also knew many members were relying on me to do so and I didn’t want to let them down.

Ultimately, though, the party’s cynical approach to the marriage equality referendum showed me that nothing has changed. It also convinced me that my fight for change was a futile one.

Having lost all faith in Fianna Fáil, I simply couldn’t in good conscience knock on doors and ask the people of Dublin Bay North to support them in the next election.

I haven’t made any decision yet as to whether I will contest the general election as an Independent candidate. I need to figure out first if that would be the best way for me to continue to make a difference.

I have never been involved in politics for the sake of it. I ran for election in 2011 because I wanted to help deliver positive change. I have tried very hard to do so and am proud of initiatives such as my adoption bill and work in the area of mental health.

For now, my priority is to use my role as an Independent senator to continue to make a positive difference to people’s lives. I am extremely grateful for all the messages of support I have received since my resignation. Hundreds of local people have taken the time to thank me for my work and wish me all the best in the future.

At a time when I am being subjected to a nasty and unfair attack by former party colleagues, that support means a lot.