Mary Coughlan says a firm ‘no’ to any return to politics

The lady’s not for turning was a phrase used by Margaret Thatcher, then British prime minister, in her speech to the Conservative Party Conference in October 1980.

And while former Tánaiste and government minister, Mary Coughlan is light years away from anything remotely resembling the Iron Lady, she is equally resolute about any change of mind.

Speculation about the former Donegal TD's possible return to local or national politics has never really gone away.

Since leaving politics after she lost her seat in the 2011 general election and with her beloved Donegal South-West constituency without a Fianna Fáil TD for the first time in its history, the former deputy has been content to concentrate on working within her local community on various committees.

She served the county at Donegal County Council and Dáil levels for 26 years, from 1986 - 2011.

From time to time, usually around election time, it has to be said, her name has been linked with a return to the county council.

When news emerged on Tuesday that she is to chair the National Conference on Women in Farming, eyebrows were raised again.

But Mary is having none of it.

“No, níl, nada, and in any language you want, the answer is still the same. There is no return to politics,” she says.

She adds that she was asked by Minister for Agriculture Food and the Marine, Charlie McConalogue TD to chair the conference and oblige him as a favour, with nothing political in it at all.

She said she enjoyed her term as agriculture minister (2004-2008) and was in fact looking forward to ensuring the conference was a success.

“It's going to be a dialogue with women in agriculture with the of trying to get greater gender equity in farming.

“There are a lot of women involved on farms such as advisors or vets but also plenty of women who work on farms who don't necessarily own the hard number, owning the land or holding or in partnership.

“We're quite far behind in European comparative terms so we are looking at what policy initiatives might be needed and see what needs to be done to support and empower more women in agriculture.”

In relation to revitalising the Fianna Fáil grassroots ahead of the next general election, the former TD admitted this “was badly needed”.

She said she didn't anticipate any moves around selecting potential general election candidates until after the constituency issue is decided next July - whether Donegal will stay as it is or revert back to a six-seater county constituency.

“That will determine quite a lot,” she said.

“It will be important we run as many candidates as we can and be successful in the next local election because that is where you generate interest for the Dáil election.

And any chance of a change of mind between now and then?

“No definitely no.”