Mary White (Fianna Fáil politician)

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For other persons named Mary White, see Mary White (disambiguation).

Mary White (born 7 October 1944) is an Irish politician and member of the 23rd Seanad Éireann for Fianna Fáil. She was elected by the Industrial and Commercial Panel. White first came to prominence as the co-founder of Lir Chocolates. She is married to Padraig White. She was first elected to the Seanad in 2002 and was re-elected in 2007.

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[edit] Presidential candidacy

On 6 February 2008, White declared her candidacy to succeed Mary McAleese as President of Ireland. She is seeking the nomination of the Fianna Fáil party and is the first candidate to declare her intention to run. If elected, she would be the third consecutive woman named Mary and the third women to hold the office.[1]

A slight internal tension is evident in this early foray into the race between the claim that she is a 'warrior' and her apparent platform of caring for the vulnerable and marginalised. As is clear from her interview on the Political Party, such tensions escape Senator White entirely.

Previously, the chocolates which brought White commercial success also helped her path to the Senate.[2]

She has also used them to sweeten her Senate colleagues, across the political spectrum.[3]

[edit] 'The Political Party' interview February 2008

On 10 February 2008, White was interviewed by Ursula Halligan on TV3's The Political Party. In the course of the interview, White discussed her career and presidential ambitions. She began by outlining the reasons for wanting the job. She stated that she would represent the marginalised, as shown by her role in the Senate as spokesperson for young people and the elderly.

Halligan questioned her in relation to her own financial success as founder of Lir Chocolates. According to White, the business was started only to provide jobs for local unemployed, never for personal profit. The sums made from the sale of the business were, she said, exaggerated. Asked what car she drove, the Senator informed Halligan that she drove a 2006 Mercedes, although this was only for safety reasons as a result of a tricky accident she had had over 30 years ago.

The discussion then moved to her time as a member of the Oireachtas. Senator White's conduct, as a member of an Oireachtas committee before which her husband had appeared, was the subject of a number of complaints from other members of the Committee. The interview showed video footage in which the Senator is seen sitting across from her husband and vigorously gesticulating to him as he attends the Committee. The interview then focused on the quality of dignity required of any potential President. White emphasised that she had worked twenty hour days when setting up her business and, denying that this was merely a sign of her hardworking nature, insisted that this was patience and tolerance, animatedly speaking over Halligan. Two clips were shown of the Senator in action on the floor of the Upper House. In the first clip, the Senator discussed her meeting with Prince Philip when she was involved in the Gaisce awards. Despite repeated requests to respect the order of business by the Cathaoirleach, Senator White insisted on putting the story on the record- and, as she described it, into the history books - of how the Prince had crossed the border to a hostelry in Donegal during his service during World War II. In a second clip, during the debates on the Rossport Five, the Senator insists - in a similar manner, "on a human level", and notwithstanding repeated requests to respect the order of business of the House - on relaying a story told to her by Sophie, Countess of Wessex of Sophie's family's roots in the Rossport area in Mayo and their assistance to the French during the Irish Rebellion of 1798.[4]

She dismissed the approach of the Cathaoirleach in these clips as being extremely conservative and remarked that she was outspoken and recognised by the Irish Independent as Senator of the Year.

[edit] References

  1. ^ "'Warrior' White seeks nomination for presidency", Breakingnews.ie, 6 February 2008. Retrieved on 208-02-18. 
  2. ^ "White chocolate the Senate's sweetest thing", The Irish Independent, 1 September 2002. Retrieved on 2008-02-18. 
  3. ^ "Lady of Lir and Martin's marbles", Sunday Independent, 4 January 2004. Retrieved on 2008-02-18. 
  4. ^ Official Report (Seanad Éireann), Volume 183, 26 April 2006: Order of Business. Oireachtas. Retrieved on 2008-02-18.

[edit] External links

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