Coughlan vows to fight on in politics for another 20 years [Independent.ie]
- Published: 10 January 2011
Tanaiste Mary Coughlan last night vowed to keep going in politics for another 20 years as she was selected to contest the upcoming general election in Donegal South West.
And at the Fianna Fail Kerry South convention, a jubilant former Ceann Comhairle John O'Donoghue pledged he was ready for battle.
Tanaiste and Education Minister Ms Coughlan dismissed as a "non-debate" any question over the leadership of Fianna Fail as she was selected uncontested to run.
At a low-key selection convention in Glenties, Co Donegal, Ms Coughlan insisted that Brian Cowen had her full backing as leader of the party, as president of the organisation and as Taoiseach.
"He will be continuing in that role with the full support of me. Let us move on from this debate. It is a non-debate," she told more than 350 delegates in the Highlands Hotel.
Ms Coughlan, who was selected with Senator Brian O Domhnaill to contest what she admitted would be a difficult election, also insisted she was "in it for the long haul".
"I am still only 45. I have at least another 20 years in me and I am as committed to going forward as anyone else and honoured to do so," she said.
Mr O'Donoghue was selected at yesterday's Kerry South convention in the INEC in Killarney beating county councillor Michael Cahill by 160 votes to 138.
Full Story: www.independent.ie
