Sinn Féin Vote for FF Candidates in Seanad Election

national | politics / elections | news report Sunday July 01, 2007 18:09 by Maurice Ross

SF Cllrs & TDs back prominant FF Senators this Summer

In the upcoming Seanad general election Sinn Féin will instruct its Councillors and TDs to vote for Fianna Fáil candidates in many of the panels (constituencies). In an election that would otherwise see the Government in a minority in the Upper House SF's decision will greatly help Ahern retain a majority.

All Councillors, TDs and outgoing Senators have a vote in the Vocational Panels that elect 43 Senators. Due to the 2004 local election results Fianna Fáil would only win 17. With the assistance of Greens and PDs this may be boosted to 18.

Sinn Féin have nominated one candidate on the Agricultural panel hoping that they could conclude a deal with Labour to vote for each others candidates in the different panels. As a result of a break down in talks between Aengus Ó Snodaigh and Joe Costello there will be no deal. This almost certianly gaurentees that SF will not have Pearse Doherty elected and it puts a 2nd Labour seat on the Labour panel in doubt.

Sinn Féin have decided that it's Councillors and TDs (which make up about half a quota) will give first preference votes for Fianna Fáil Senators Mary White (Industry & Commerce panel), Labhras Ó Murchú (Culture & Education panel) and Camillus Glynn (Administrative panel). They will back their own candidate Pearse Doherty on the Agricultural panel and ATGWU regional secretary Mick O'Reilly on the Labour panel. Neither Mick O'Reilly or Pearse Doherty are expected to win a seat.

Sinn Féin's support for Fianna Fáil candidates comes as a great assistance to the Government as they are currently set to win 18 seats on the panels. Even with the 11 Taoiseach's nominees they will only hold 29 seats in the 60 seat House. FF have been eagerly backing candidates in the NUI and TCD University seats in an attempt to have a slender government majority. Due to SF's backing the Government may win a majority.

A Government minority in the Seanad has only occured once since the reconstitution of the House in 1937 due to the collapse of the FF/Labour government in 1994. Without a majority legislation can be held up and referenda can be called on legislation.