The Taoiseach's special adviser on Northern Ireland, Dr Martin Mansergh, is to run for the Seanad after his unsuccessful general election attempt to win a Dáil seat in Tipperary South. Dr Mansergh, a key figure in the peace process, will contest the Seanad Agriculture panel, having been nominated by the Irish Thoroughbred Breeders' Association. Yesterday, the association also nominated the former Fine Gael whip, Mr Paul Bradford, to run.
Dr Mansergh has worked in Government and Opposition with Fianna Fáil leaders Mr Charles Haughey, Mr Albert Reynolds and Mr Bertie Ahern for 21 years. He played a central role in developing contacts between the Government and the republican movement in the lead-up to the IRA ceasefires, and later in the political negotiations leading to the signing of the Belfast Agreement.
His interest in becoming an elected politician rather than a backroom adviser has surfaced only in the past couple of years. He was first rumoured as a possible Fianna Fáil candidate for the Tipperary South by-election in 2000, before seeking and winning a nomination to contest the constituency in the recent general election. Although he polled respectably for a first-time candidate, he was far short of what was required to win a seat. Minister of State Mr Noel Davern retained the party seat in the constituency.