*Roisin Garvey. Photograph: Martin Connolly
Clare will have three representatives in Seanad Éireann following confirmation of Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s eleven nominees.
As first reported by The Clare Echo, ex TD Timmy Dooley (FF) has been handed a return to Leinster House by the newly elected Taoiseach.
He will be joined by Cllr Roisin Garvey (GP) who has been rewarded by Green Party leader, Eamon Ryan for her efforts in the negotiations for the Programme for Government.
First elected to Clare County Council in May of last year, the Inagh native unsuccessfully contested the General Election earlier this year. She is only the third woman from Co Clare to serve as a Senator following in the footsteps of Tras Honan (FF) and Madeline Taylor-Quinn (FG).
Her father, Flan Garvey was a Fianna Fáil county councillor from 1974 to 2009.
“I am honoured to have been nominated to Seanad Éireann. Thank you to our Green Party Leader, Éamon Ryan, for your trust in me. I will work to serve to the best of my ability and will bring an informed rural Clare voice from West of the Shannon to help tackle our challenges ahead,” Garvey tweeted on Saturday evening.
Martin Conway (FG) was re-elected to his post as a Senator earlier this year. The Ennistymon man was the only Clare candidate to prevail. Timmy Dooley (FF), Michael Vaughan (FF) and Ann Marie Flanagan (IND) all contested on various panels.
Taoiseach Martin has appointed Mary Fitzpatrick (FF), Lorraine Clifford Lee (FF), Erin McGreehan (FF) and Timmy Dooley (FF). The nominations approved by Tanáiste Leo Varadkar (FG) were Regina Doherty (FG), Aisling Dolan (FG), Emer Currie (FG) and Mary Seery Kearney (FG). Green Party leader has backed the promotions of county councillors, Roisin Garvey (GP) and Vincent P Martin (GP). The new coalition has also endorsed the appointment of Traveller Rights activist, Eileen Flynn as a Senator.
Former Minister for Social Protection, Regina Doherty will be the Leader of the Seanad. President Michael D. Higgins has been advised by the Taoiseach to convene the first meeting of the Seanad for Monday.
