Finian McGrath, the Dublin Bay North TD and Minister of State for Disability Issues, has confirmed he was will not seek re-election
In a statement Mr McDowell said the Seanad needed to be strengthened and should be seen as “more than a stepping stone for those seeking election or re-election to the Dáil”.
Speculation was rife that Mr McDowell might run in his old Dublin Bay South constituency. He has twice been elected to the Dáil and served as minister for justice and tánaiste as well as leader of the then Progressive Democrats party. Mr McDowell, who has long campaigned for Seanad reform said “the Seanad needs independent voices and it needs to be independent of government domination to perform its valuable constitutional role of check and balance on the power of the party whip, as was demonstrated by the success of those who have prevented the enactment of the unwanted and unwise Judicial Appointments Commission Bill.”
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