Conway nominated for Seanad

A SECOND North Clare name was thrown into the ring for a senate seat this week. Councillor Martin Conway has announced that he has secured a nomination to contest a seat in the Seanad. Councillor Conway hopes to be elected onto the Public Administration panel.

“I got a nomination from the People With Disabilities in Ireland (PWDI) group. I am contesting the Senate in order to correct the democratic deficit that exists in North and West Clare at the moment,” Councillor Conway stated.
However, among the political reforms planned by his party, now in Government, is the abolition of the Seanad.
“While I support the Fine Gael five-point plan, which includes the abolition of the Senate and the reduction in the number of TDs, the reality is that Fine Gael didn’t get an overall majority. While I understand that the Labour party has also adopted the policy of abolition of the Seanad, there are political negotiations taking place this week on an agreed Programme for Government, which will determine the future of the upper house one way or another,” Councillor Conway said.
Former head of the Irish National Teachers Organisation, Declan Kelleher from Kilnaboy announced last week that he will run for the Seanad as an independent on the NUI university panel.