Senator Mary O'Rourke has withdrawn from the contest to become Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, saying the Taoiseach has offered her a new role with which she is very happy.
Ms O'Rourke did not identify this role, but said it was preferable to becoming "a female eunuch" as Seanad Cathaoirleach. Several Government and Fianna Fáil sources contacted yesterday said they were not aware of what Mr Ahern had in mind for his former deputy leader. However, Ms O'Rourke said she would prefer the role offered to her rather than the Seanad post in which "I would not be able to do anything other than be very solemn".
Ms O'Rourke's decision not to seek to become Cathaoirleach of the Seanad averts the prospect of a high profile internal battle between the former senior minister and some other Fianna Fáil Senators who were determined to back one of the party's long-serving Senators. The Fianna Fáil group, which holds a majority in the Seanad, will effectively decide who chairs the Upper House.
Speaking on RTÉ radio yesterday Ms O'Rourke said she would not say what role she had been offered by Mr Ahern. "There has been a positive development and I am very happy about that", was all she would say. He offered her this role after "two to three positive discussions" between the two.
Ms O'Rourke was Fianna Fáil's deputy leader before she unexpectedly lost her Dáil seat in Westmeath in May.
She said yesterday that as Cathaoirleach she could not go to a party meeting or speak out on issues. "That for me would be tortureThere would be a lot of State activity attached to it and that would be very interesting. I would be a member of the Council of State but I have done that. Mary Robinson very kindly appointed me to the Council of State before."