On 17 April 2016 , Harney intervened in government formation talks , claiming the deadlock would damage " Ireland 's reputation " in remarks made during her closing address at the three-day Women in Media conference in Ballybunion . In the same address Harney , who attended with husband Brian Geogheghan , claimed that " when she left public life she made a conscious decision to leave politics behind her "
government formation talks
2016 Irish government formation
Mary Harney