metering system in July 2010, five months before the bailout. In January 2016, Hanafin announced she was seeking a place on the Fianna Fáil Front Bench. Micheal Martin refused to be drawn on the issue, instead emphasising a desire to promote a new generation of TDs. Following his rebuff, Hanafin gave a series of interviews which appeared to undermine his authority, in particular she questioned his position on entering coalition government with Fine Gael. Her remarks prompted Mary Cowen, wife of former Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, to publicly comment that Micheal Martin should "watch his back" around Hanafin. The spat continued with Hanafin claiming Mary Cowen's remarks were inappropriate. In the 2016 general election Hanafin failed to regain a seat in the Dáil, finishing fifth in the four-seat Dún Laoghaire constituency. 2019 European Parliament election In December 2018, Hanafin announced her intention to seek the Fianna Fáil nomination for the Dublin constituency in the European Parliament. Barry Andrews was selected as the Fianna Fáil candidate. 2020 general election She was an unsuccessful candidate for the Dún Laoghaire constituency at the 2020 general election. In June 2022, she was elected as Cathaoirleach of Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown County Council. References External links 1959 births Alumni of Dublin Institute of Technology Alumni of St Patrick's College, Maynooth Women government ministers of the Republic of Ireland Fianna Fáil TDs Mary Irish schoolteachers Living people Local councillors in Dublin (city) Local councillors in Dún Laoghaire–Rathdown Members of the 28th Dáil Members of the 29th Dáil Members of the 30th Dáil 20th-century women Teachtaí Dála 21st-century women Teachtaí Dála Ministers for Education (Ireland) Ministers for Social Affairs (Ireland) Ministers of State of the 28th Dáil Ministers of State of the 29th Dáil People from Thurles Women ministers of state of the Republic of Ireland Government Chief Whip (Ireland) Ministers for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Mayors of places in the Republic of Ireland