Many former TDs, including Cathal Berry and Matt Shanahan, are running in the Seanad election. The Seanad is seen as a way for former TDs to remain in the Oireachtas.
Seanad office receives 70 nominations in advance of Wednesday deadline for candidates backed by professional bodies. Independent TD for Kildare South Cathal Berry is now eyeing a seat in the Seanad after failing to be re-elected to the Dáil. Former Independent TD Cathal Berry who lost his South Kildare Seat in the general election is to run in the Seanad election as is former Waterford Independent TD Matt Shanahan, both of them from the Regional Independent group in the last Dáil.
Mr Berry, a former Army Ranger and medical doctor who received nominations from Oireachtas members, said “national security is a priority around Europe at the moment ... So you need people with a particular expertise to have a mature conversation about it. And that’s what the Seanad is all about.” The Upper House is seen as a way for former TDs to remain in the Oireachtas to win back their Dáil seat in the following general election. Three Fianna Fáil TDs lost their seats but only two will seek election to the Seanad. Anne Rabbitte (Galway East) and Joe Flaherty (Longford-Westmeath) were appointed to the Seanad after the general election, which ensures two additional Fianna Fáil votes in the forthcoming elections. They are set to be confirmed as candidates for the Vocational panels which elect 43 of the 60 Senators.We’re heading for the second biggest fiscal disaster in the history of the State Former Wicklow TD and Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly has not sought a nomination. Former Fine Gael TD and party chairman Alan Farrell who lost his seat and was also appointed to the Seanad is also expected to be nominated as a candidate. Fianna Fáil Seanad leader Lisa Chambers, who ran unsuccessfully in Mayo in the general election is not seeking re-election to the Upper House. Political parties are expected to make final decisions on candidates as deadlines loom. There are two ways to get nominated for the 43 seats on the vocational panel
SEANAD ELECTION FORMER Tds DÁIL ELECTION PROFESSIONAL BODIES IRELAND POLITICS
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