FIANNA FÁIL leader Micheál Martin has claimed Fine Gael has no intention of abolishing the Seanad during the next Dáil term because of its importance as a source of party funding.
He contended that Fine Gael had admitted in the past week that the party would not be in a position to abolish the Seanad in the next few years.
Describing the main Opposition party’s public position on the Upper House as “cynical”, he said Fine Gael’s large representation in the next Seanad would boost party funding by €4 million.
“For every senator you have you get a proportion of party funding,” he said.
Mr Martin was speaking during Fianna Fáil’s final press conference of the campaign.
He said the party had mounted a “credible and straight-up campaign”, and would be fighting for every vote until polling day.
He also renewed his criticism of Fine Gael’s five-point plan and said the final televised debate between party leaders had exposed serious flaws in it.
“The five-point plan is full of black holes, ill-thought-out ideas and poll-tested policies that are designed to win votes and not solve the serious problems we face today.”
In a concession that his party would be most likely going into opposition, Mr Martin said: “I am committed to renewing Fianna Fáil at every level, from the grassroots to the parliamentary party”.
When asked why the perceived strong performances by him in the televised debates had no discernible impact in opinion polls, he said debates were not about polls but about issues.
“The [most important aspect] is that it concentrates on policies and issues.,” he said.
“It’s not just for the election campaign, it’s for afterwards.
“We have put down important markers in relation to the future,” he added.
He disagreed with the suggestion that he had been overly aggressive in the three-way debate on Prime Time this week.
“Clearly it was two against one last night. I felt it was important to ask the hard questions to Enda Kenny . . . You had to go in hard in that respect. I was firm and forceful,” he said.
Asked about the post-election scenario, Mr Martin outlined the need for the renewal of the party in the future.
“Our representation in Seanad Éireann will have to be addressed . . . We also need to make the opportunity for bringing forward a lot of young people.
“There are a lot of young women out there . . . Every local election ticket should have somebody under 25 running.”
Deputy leader Mary Hanafin said the party had put in a strong and focused campaign, and expressed optimism that it would out-perform expectations.
Mr Martin returned to some of the key issues in the TV debate, including Fine Gael’s FairCare plan. He claimed Mr Kenny could not defend it.
He asserted that Fine Gael’s tax proposals included many hidden measures. “[Fine Gael] will introduce a wide range of stealth taxes that will negatively impact on families and businesses.”
He also claimed the party’s jobs plan, New Era, was “nothing more than a public relations add-on. He said Enda Kenny was forced to concede that Fine Gael would sell vital State assets immediately.
