Date Published: 23-Mar-2011

It’s all terribly genteel and slightly ‘old world’ in Leinster House when they gather to count the votes in the Seanad Election. Traditionally, they even ring a tiny bell to warn that a new count is about to be announced.

You’d almost expect tea and scones with clotted cream to be served by some senescent ‘old retainer’ when that bell rings.

However, what’s happening is that political careers are being started and ended, and hopes are being ‘knifed’ without the slightest hint of blood on those plush carpets and hangings which are all about the place.

As the battles for political life being fought in the coming days, any number of candidates from this neck of the woods will be ploughing the roads of rural Ireland chasing the elusive votes of TDs, Senators and councillors in a bid to ensure that they have a political future.

It’s unlike any other campaign. The electorate is made up almost entirely of politicians – they will all be highly insulted if you don’t ask them for the vote, but you can’t even be sure that you will get the support of those in your own party.

For, if you are seen as a threat, then your own would ‘knife’ you with a smile on their face and a promise that, of course, they voted for you.

This is the election where the Party Leader can ‘give the wink’ and your future is made. But, if you are a potential long-term threat to a sitting TD, a new TD, or a ‘dynasty’ which has been there for some time, you won’t even feel the stiletto slipping between your ribs as your potential political career ebbs quietly away.

Years ago, Fianna Fáil began the practice of bringing in their TDs and Senators on a given day to do their voting . . . in an effort to ensure that they followed instructions. This time FF will be hoping the voters do as they’re told in relation to plans to rebuild the party. You can be sure that Fine Gael and Labour TDs, Senators and Councillors are no less adept at smothering potential threats as well as ensuring the election of those they want.

It should be a good Seanad Election for Fine Gael and Labour because they have so many councillors around the country since their record Local Elections wins in 2009. They also have the benefit of record numbers in the Dáil following the near-demise of Fianna Fáil a few weeks ago.

Because of that, for instance, FG former Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames, who put up an incredible performance in the General Election a few weeks ago, must be hopeful. She was part of a ticket that gained a Dáil seat for FG in Galway West (new TDs Sean Kyne and Brian Walsh) and Healy Eames should be among those fancied to take a Seanad seat.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.