This article is from page 3 of the 2006-02-21 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 3 JPG
THE media gathered in the de Valera heartland this weekend, in search of the last woman to continue the name of the political dynasty in Clare politics.
Just hours after the Taoiseach told her constituency on Clare FM of the party’s traditions “that if somebody is not running in the next election and they hold a ministerial office . . . before the election they bow out”, junior minister Síle de Valera arrived smiling through tight lips.
On Friday night, she avoided answering questions on the issue and by Saturday she had decided she just was not going to talk at all to the growing media force.
Instead, she issued a brief statement through her department saying that she “had a job of work to do” and “intended on completing it”.
On Saturday, she moved through a scene reminiscent of student elections merged with an Árd Fheis, on her way to the “Education” workshop, again lips sealed except for her customary hello.
Having arrived in the conference hall quietly alongside her ministerial colleague Mary Hanafin, a round of applause was called for the outgoing TD by Clare County Councillor Cathal Crowe, on his taking of the podium.
With business out of the way, Eamonn de Valera’s granddaughter left the hotel.
And so it was for others to comment on the “controversy”.
Those who would not speak on the record said it was badly handled, or signalled she should go, mainly so they could have a nice job.
Who needs one political dynasty replaced by another Haughey dynasty, when there is a job up for grabs?
Those with a more secure senior ministerial job had nothing to lose by praising their outgoing party colleague.
Minister Dick Roche described the situation more as a debate rather than a row, referring to the Taoiseach’s genteel nature when dealing with such issues.
Minister Michéal Martin believed that the appointment of ministers was “ultimately the prerogative of the Taoiseach” and described his Clare colleague as “a fine representative”. And finally the Taoiseach arrived.
At the informal press conference, he too was remaining tight-lipped about his comments the previous day.
So when Minister de Valera arrived back to the West County Hotel, what could they do but kiss and make up.
He told her the gathered press “were worrying about us”.
With the pictures out of the way, all seemed well, if it wasn’t for the panic stricken look on the chief Fianna Fáil press officer’s face as the press overheard “the conversation” between the pair.
And so as the Fianna Fáil party celebrated into the night it became apparent this woman was not for moving…just yet!