FASCINATING INSIGHT INTO FIANNA FAIL COUNCILLOR'S HOPES AND ASPIRATIONS

Interview by Tom Kelly

She explained how she had matured politically over the past three years, and how she succeeded in establishing a political reputation of her own rather than being regarded as 'Padraig Flynn's daughter.'

"I was brought up in a political household. I was involved in General Elections with my father for many years before I ever decided to become involved in politics.

"I was involved in Fianna Fail when I was in University College Dublin, and was very involved in Ogra Fianna Fail. I always found politics intriguing.

"It was a natural progression for me to put my name on the ballot sheet in the West Mayo by-election three years ago. But maybe it happen a little bitter soon than I had expected.

"The circumstances are well documented at this stage. I allowed my name go forward to convention. I was very fortunate that the Fianna Fail people of Mayo selected me.

"So I don't regard my entry into Mayo politics as controversial. To me, it was a natural progression."

She accepted that things did not run as smooth as she liked during the by-election, but rejected claims that the party turned against her. "I don't think it was unusual that things did not run smoothly. My father, Padraig, was the party candidate in the constituency for seventeen years. When you have somebody with such a high profile for so long, it can be difficult to accept change when it comes.

"There was always going to be other people interested in going forward. That was a healthy sigh for the party. In fact, I was delighted that so many people were interested in going forward.

"The harder you have to fight to get something, and I had to fight very hard to get the nomination, then there is value in being the nominee at the end of the day.

"The process within Fianna Fail is a democratic one. The people involved with the party in the towns and villages throughout Mayo are the ones who make the decisions. Their decision was to select me."

Beverley was disappointed, however, that some sections within the party did not pull in her favour when the election came around. "I was disappointed that the party did not work as effectively as a unit as it was capable of doing. There was no doubt in my mind the seat was there to be won.

"I believe people did not work as hard as I would have liked as opposed to pulling against me. I was a new face, I suppose."

She did not find the defeat in the West Mayo by-election a chastening or devastating experience. "I was sitting at home the night before the count and thinking about the fact I needed 14,000 votes to be elected. For somebody involved in their first election, it seemed an awful lot of votes.

"I never felt before the election that it was a sure seat for me. I knew I was going to be involved in a fight to win.

"At the end of the day, I was delighted with the actually vote I got. I had to consider that so many people voted for me that I had never actually met in a one-to-one situation.

"This was an immense sense of pride for me. Other members of the party were more disappointed than I was about losing the seat. As it happened, it had serious consequences for the party at national level.

"Okay, there was a certain level of disappointment for me personally. But I put the defeat down to being part of the learning experience.

"The one thing the last three years has shown me, more than anything else, is that politics is a job I enjoy. It is something I feel I can be good at.

"My objective now is to correct the things that went wrong the last time, and hope that it will be better this time."

Since her by-election defeat, she has worked more closely within the party to gain a reputation for herself. "I have learned a great deal over the past three years. This has been a very important part of my preparation for the forthcoming General Election.

"Before this, people tended to see me as Padraig Flynn's daughter. I was very anxious to carve out my own niche as a result.

"I wanted people to realise that I was a person in my own right, and had something valuable to contribute to the community as Beverley Cooper Flynn.

"It was very helpful to me when I was made a member of Mayo County Council following the death of my dear friend Richard Morrin who had been of great assistance to me.

"It was the turning point of my political career to fate. It showed I was determined, dedicated and that I would be around for the long haul.

"It also showed the people of Mayo that I was serious about local politics. It was the first opportunity that arose for me to get involved in this way. It was unfortunate, however, that it came about because of Richard's passing.

"I find now, as I am cutting my teeth at county council level, that I am gaining experience which is of considerable help to me and will be a huge asset going into the General Election.

"Being involved in local government helps you to get to know the officials involved as well as keeping in touch with the people."

She made it abundantly clear that the Fianna Fail party was fully united behind her on this occasion. "Things have changed an awful lot in three years. We have had an early convention this time. It was the best thing we did as a party.

"It was a competitive situation. Our three outgoing Dail Deputies, P.J. Morley, Seamus Hughes and Tom Moffatt, were selected automatically.

"Al McDonnell and I had to fight it out for the last nomination before 800 delegates, which was probably the biggest convention anywhere in the country.

"Once the issue was decided, the party made up its mind from that point that it would fight the General Election as a team."

She explained the party's strategy would be totally different than it was for the by-election. "When you are running in a by-election, you are one candidate looking for votes throughout the entire constituency.

"In the General Election, I will be running with colleagues who will be looking for first preference votes in areas where I would not expect to pick up first preference votes.

"The whole strategy of vote-getting is different, and it is our intention to maximise the Fianna Fail vote and maximise the preferences in favour of Fianna Fail."

Beverley accepted that Al McDonnell was a political rival of hers from within the party in the past, but that was no longer the case. "Al, who is chairman of Castlebar Comhairle Ceanntair, has pledged his one hundred per cent support to me. The Castlebar Comhairle Ceanntair is the main area in which I am going to get my votes.

"It is very important for me to consolidate my base and do well in my home town. I will, of course, be moving out around the constituency to places like Belmullet, Ballinrobe and anywhere people want to vote for me.

"It is also important to the party that I will be seeking preference votes for my party colleague just as they will be for me.

"I am not running as an independent. I am running as a member of Fianna Fail, taking on board the policies of the Fianna Fail party."

In view of the fact that Castlebar was a key area for her, was it not of major concern to her the likelihood of having a high profile independent candidate in the calibre of Paddy McGuinness running against her in the town? "I welcome any candidate who wants to put his or her name on the ballot sheet. What I will be saying to people who wish to vote for an independent candidate standing on a particular issue is that they should consider giving a preference vote to me and my colleagues.

"That is what will be different about the Fianna Fail campaign on this occasion. We will actually be seeking transfers from where ever we can get them."

Regarding speculation that a secret deal may be done with McGuinness, she said it was totally out of the question. "Fianna Fail cannot allow their agenda to be set by other people. That point has been made clear from the top level of the party.

"We have a policy on all issues that are important to Mayo including the question of the Mayo RTC. We are going to fight the election on the basis of our policies."

She agreed the election would be highly competitive, but did not accept it could be highly personalised and even somewhat dirty.

"By the very nature of the fact that there are six sitting T.D.s looking for just five seats automatically makes it competitive.

"In addition to that, I am also in the field. And for me to get elected will bring about a change in the county. Once the bell sounds, Fianna Fail will be chasing three seats. I hope I will be filling one of them."

Beverley made the point she had matured politically over the last three years. "I feel much better equipped going into the General Election that I did going into the by-election. I also have a renewed sense of optimism for the Fianna Fail party."

She did not feel it was difficult following in her father's footsteps. "There is a healthy competitiveness between the two of us in a political sense. We bounce a lot of ideas off one another. We discuss politics together. We don't always agree. In fact sometimes we don't agree much at all on the way things should be done.

"He is an old head, has been around a long time, and has a lot of good advice which he gives me. But I am very much my own person. He knows that, and I think the people of Fianna Fail and Mayo know that.

"I know I still have a lot to learn, but I believe I also have a lot contribute."

Beverley admitted being shocked by Maire Geoghegan Quinn's decision to resign from politics. But the Galway Deputy's decision did not make the Castlebar-based candidate think twice about going into a business in which personal lives were frequently put under scrutiny by the media. "I admit it caused me to look at the situation again. Maire loved politics, but she may have gone into it a bit too young at the age of 21. She gave 22 years service which was a long career at the highest level.

"At 30, I am going into it a little bit older. But I accept that politics can take a lot out of you. There is always pressure to perform, not only at home but in Europe.

"Being under scrutiny by the media comes with the territory. It does not frighten me. I am in a family in which my father has long been under the spotlight of the media.

"It is very important, however, for politicians to have their private life. With all the turmoil that goes on at times, you like to be able to go home, close your door, sit down and have a cup of tea and a chat in the comfort of your own home."

Beverley said she found it easy to relax when the opportunity presented itself. "I enjoy a round of golf. The terrible thing about it, however, is that it takes so long."

She also enjoyed the odd game of squash with her close friend Terry Fahy. "I like high physical sports that don't take too long. They are a great way of relieving stress."

She also found driving very relaxing. . ."and, God knows, I do an awful lot of that." She also enjoyed going to the cinema and socialising with her friends over a drink.

Beverley regarded herself as a feminist. "I am a feminist because I support equality for women in every walk of life. It is important for women that their views are represented. Men and women do look at issues differently

"I have worked predominately with men over the years. The political situation is dominated by men, although women are getting more and more involved in decision making at every level."

She made it clear her full residence was now at Manor Village, Westport Road, Castlebar, and there was no question of her being Dublin-based any longer. "I am fortunate that my job allows me to spend five days of the week in Mayo."

She is employed a financial services manager with a leading Irish Bank, specialising in the area of investment advice and operating out of the Financial Services Centre in Dublin.

Beverley is the holder of a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from University College Dublin. During her studies, she specialised in industrial relations and business law. She is a graduate of the Institute of Personal Management and is an associate of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

"My area of expertise lies in economics and investment analysis."

Did she consider herself over-qualified for her role as a politician? "I don't think that's possible. Having qualifications does not necessarily make you a good politician. What makes you a good politician is your ability to listen to the people and your ability to act on the views that your hear."

When asked if her move from a professional career into politics would result in an income cut for her, she said: "It is not about money. You don't go into politics for money. I am going into politics because I want to serve the people. I feel I have something to contribute.

"At the end of the day, it has nothing to do with the financial advantages or disadvantages of the job."

Asked to outline the main election issues in Mayo, she pinpointed employment as a top priority. "Many of my friends had to emigrate after leaving school because there were no jobs for them. Thankfully many of them have returned.

"A job gives a person self-esteem. I have people coming into my clinic every day of the day and they are looking for jobs.

"They are young people who are disillusioned and depressed because they have no work. When you are without a job, it can often bring other problems, like problems with drugs and drinking. Unfortunately, that can lead to problems with crime.

"I believe so many of our problems in society are caused by unemployment. Castlebar is crying out for an injection of jobs.

"I am disappointed the proposed APC plant has not started. Nobody is more hopeful than I am that those jobs will come.

"Over 2,000 young people in Mayo have applied for those 245 jobs at the plant. They are still waiting to be called for an interview over eighteen months after applying.

"I call on the Government, and their representatives here in the county, to make those jobs a reality sooner rather than later."