Readers like you keep news free for everyone.
More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.
For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.
Readers like you keep news free for everyone.
More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.
For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.
TAOISEACH ENDA KENNY has filled his 11 Seanad positions today.
A number of Fine Gael TDs who failed to win a seat in the Dáil have been picked for the Upper House.
While the Seanad elections filled 49 seats already, the Taoiseach enjoys a privilege of filling the remaining 11 seats.
However, Micheál Martin had a hand in choosing three of the new senators according to members of his party.
Those three senators are Joan Freeman, Colette Kelleher and Pádraig Ó Céidigh.
Here’s the full list of the chosen ones.
1. Fine Gael’s James Reilly
The former Health and Children’s Minister, Dr James Reilly lost his seat in Dublin Fingal after being defeated by Sinn Féin in the battle for the fifth Dáil place.
Following his defeat, the Fine Gael deputy leader said he would consider his future role in the party and in politics.
However, Kenny has given him the nod.
2. Fine Gael’s Michelle Mulherin
The former Mayo TD comes from Taoiseach’s very own county but lost her seat to Fianna Fáil’s Lisa Chambers.
While it was expected to go down to the wire between the two, Chambers easily won out – with over 2,000 votes between them (11,686 to 9,593).
3. Fine Gael’s Paudie Coffey
Former Fine Gael Minister of State Paudie Coffey who lost his Dáil seat in the last election.
4. Marie-Louise O’Donnell
Marie-Louise O’Donnell is well-known to be a close friend of Enda Kenny and a fellow Mayo woman.
O’Donnell is an Irish broadcaster and has already been nominated by an Taoiseach to serve in the Seanad.
5. Joan Freeman
Freeman is the founder of the suicide awareness and support charity Pieta House.
6. Fine Gael’s Ray Butler
Ray Butler was elected as a TD for the Meath West constituency at the 2011 general election but lost his seat this year.
7. Fine Gael’s Frank Feighan
Feighan is a former and Dáil deputy – He served as a TD for Roscommon–South Leitrim constituency from 2007 to 2016.
8. Fine Gael’s John O’Mahony
O’Mahony is a former TD for the Mayo constituency. He was elected in 2007 but lost his seat this year.
9. Billy Lawless
Lawless is an advocate for Irish immigrants in the United States.
10. Colette Kelleher
Kelleher is the CEO of Alzheimer’s Ireland.
11. Pádraig Ó Céidigh
Ó Céidigh is a businessman and the founder of of Aer Arann Express and of Aer Lingus Regional.
With reporting from Cormac Fitzgerald
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site