McDowell and Begg reveal plans to run for Seanad

MICHAEL McDowell and David Begg have both declared that they will be running for the Seanad.

Former tánaiste and Progressive Democrats leader Mr McDowell formally announced his candidacy yesterday with the support of outgoing senator Feargal Quinn.

Mr McDowell, a successful senior counsel, has been one of the most colourful politicians in Ireland over the past quarter of a century, and his return to the fray of the Oireachtas would be sure to ruffle some feathers.

Veteran trade unionist Mr Begg – who has been in the public eye of late – also confirmed last night that he will be having a tilt at the Seanad.

His appointment as the head of the Pensions Authority without public advertisement by Tánaiste Joan Burton was one of the early controversies of the election campaign.

The issue of appointments endured to the end of the campaign and was one of the issues on the final leaders’ debate on RTÉ last week that resonated most with viewers.

Mr McDowell will be contesting on the universities panel of the upcoming Seanad elections, as will Mr Begg.

Last night, Mr Begg said: ‘This election settles nothing. Ireland, although recovering from a recession, is still fragile. It faces very serious challenges on many fronts including health, housing, education, low incomes, childcare and pensions.

‘The international backdrop of market volatility also means that favourable growth conditions cannot be assumed to continue indefinitely.’