Swing-gate scandal TD Maria Bailey should be axed from the Fine Gael ticket for the next general election, a party colleague insisted yesterday.
Fergus O’Dowd is the first deputy to say publicly she should step aside after the compo claim fiasco.
Speaking on LMFM’s Michael Reade Show, the Louth TD said: “Would I prefer that she didn’t stand? I would prefer if she didn’t, yes I would of course.
“But I can’t influence that.” Ms Bailey said she regrets taking a now withdrawn case against The Dean Hotel in Dublin after she fell from a swing in 2015.
Last week Taoiseach Leo Varadkar dumped her from her role as chair of the Housing Committee after an internal probe. Mr O’Dowd said: “What Maria Bailey did is wrong, it is still wrong and it will always be wrong and I think that is the reality for her.
“I think the truth is she wasn’t transparent about her claim and there are serious issues about the credibility of what she did. That is not just my view it is the view of everybody I know.
“It certainly did affect us at the local election and it is affecting us today, of course it is.
“The Taoiseach has removed her as chair of her committee.
“People still aren’t happy, but ultimately the expression of the people’s view would be if she stands for election they will clearly give their view there.
“I would say people have a very strong view that she should not have done that if she stands for election they will express their view on that.”
Mr O’Dowd added grassroots members in her constituency are unhappy with it, but she was selected before the story broke.
He said: “There are indications. It is in the press that her party in Dun Laoghaire are saying she shouldn’t stand and want her removed.”
