THE former members of the Dail and Seanad have formed an association. The brainchild of Nuala Fennell and Seamus Cullimore, it has yet to get a formal name. Nearly 90 of the 200 on their list turned up at a meeting late last year and another is planned for the Fianna Fail rooms in Leinster House next month. Representatives have already met the party leaders and been warmly received, and this week a four-person delegation comprising the ad hoc chairwoman, Fennell, Mary Flaherty, Vincent Brady and Evelyn Owens met a sub-committee of the Committee on Procedure and Privilege.
The group, in which Ted Nealon and Colm Hilliard are also active, is mainly concerned with former Oireachtas members' rights in Leinster House and pensions. Since the foundation of the State, says Fennell, now a political consultant, former members have rights of access to the house, the library and the car park. The problems arise because the older members in particular are challenged three or four times each occasion they enter the House and feel uncomfortable as a result. A way, possibly via an ID card, has to be found to ease the path to their entitlements. It's a crossparty group including former taoisigh. Garret FitzGerald who was at the last meeting, and former president, Paddy Hillery, are among the members.