Sharon Keogan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to offer my sympathies as well to the former Senator and Deputy, Seán McCarthy. I also extend my sympathies on the deaths of the Independent councillor, Hugh Conlon, from Dunleer, and the retired Independent councillor, Jimmy Cudden, from Duleek who will be buried later this morning. I also extend my sympathies on the death of our Fianna Fáil colleague in Fingal County Council, Councillor Freddie Cooper, who passed away in recent weeks.

As a new Senator my first year in this House has been a learning curve. I am enjoying the challenge and I hope I am making some contribution to the House. I intend to bring my first Private Members' Bill to the House in the autumn. I believe it to be an issue that could potentially have cross-party support.

I wish to use my time today to talk about my colleagues on the other side of the House. I have never hidden my background in Fianna Fáil. My family connection to Fianna Fáil goes right back to the foundation of the State. I was a member of the Fianna Fáil national executive for four years. I loved every minute of the time I gave to Fianna Fáil but, unfortunately, there was no room for me to run for the party that I loved. I was not wanted. I say this because out of 180 Independent councillors, 87 are ex-Fianna Fáil. These unwelcomed men and women are some of the most hard-working community activists and local politicians in the country, yet Fianna Fáil did not want them. This is not unique to Fianna Fáil. Some of the remaining Independent councillors are ex-Fine Gael, ex-Sinn Féin, ex-Labour Party and ex-Green Party.

As I look from the outside in, I can say with my hand on my heart that I do not like to see what has happened to this once-great party. I do not like to see the internal party bickering, the constant negativity within the party that serves no purpose, only to divide. This country needs Fianna Fáil. It needs a Fianna Fáil Party of purpose, one that is relevant and that appreciates grassroots-level politics once again. It needs a party that will listen to the grass growing and know what is going on in every townland, parish, village and town.

While some may think we have never been more connected with social media, I would say differently. This country does not need a party that will put its finger in the air on any given day to see what direction the wind is blowing and decide which direction to go in. We have the Social Democrats for that. I so want Fianna Fáil-----