Leonora Carey to seek Fine Gael nomination to run in the general election

Leonora Carey, sister of sitting TD, Joe Carey is to seek the Fine Gael nomination to run in the general election.

Ms Carey has confirmed today that she will be seeking a nomination at the Clare Fine Gael selection convention on September 6 to run as a candidate in the upcoming general election. The Clarecastle woman, who has served as Chair of the party’s National Executive Council, is hoping to retain the seat held by her brother, Joe, since 2007. Her father, Donal, served as Fine Gael TD for Clare from 1982 to 2002 and Minister of State from 1995 to 1997.

An experienced political strategist at regional and national level, she is currently employed as Occupational Therapist Manager with the University of Limerick Hospitals Group having previously worked with Milford Care Centre.

“Although I have held positions at officer level in Clare and Dublin Central for almost 30 years, I am fully aware that there is no greater honour than working on behalf of your neighbours, friends and community as a public representative,” she said.

“The issues facing people in Clare and the Mid-West require a new approach to how politicians can make a real difference to the lives of ordinary people. Over the coming weeks, I will be engaging with party members to give me the opportunity to make that difference. If I’m fortunate enough to be selected as a Fine Gael candidate and win election to the Dáil, I will work full time to deliver a better future for the people of Clare,” she added.

Ms Carey’s announcement comes as her brother announced his resignation as a public representative. Deputy Carey, who has been on sick leave since March of last year, confirmed he will not be a candidate in the next general election. Saying his decision was based on medical advice, he informed Clare Fine Gael party members he had to put himself, his wife and family first and retire from a job that he loved.

“In the past year, I suffered a life-altering medical situation that I will be dealing with for the rest of my time on earth. While I would dearly wish to continue, my decision to step away is based on medical advice. I have had the absolute privilege to serve for the past 25 years as a public representative, eight as a County Councillor and 17 as a TD. I want to express my sincere thanks to my constituents who elected me to represent them on Clare County Council and in Dáil Éireann on six separate occasions,” Deputy Carey said.

In his letter to party members, he also expressed his appreciation to Clare Fine Gael members, local councillors past and present and the general public for their patience and understanding throughout his illness. He paid special tribute to his sister Leonora and brother Donal, the extended Carey family and his wide circle of friends.

A native of Clarecastle, Joe Carey was first elected to Clare County Council in 1999 at the age of 23. He trebled his vote and topped the poll in the 2004 local elections with what was then the highest number of first preferences ever secured by a Clare local election candidate. In 2007, he won a second seat for Fine Gael in the Clare constituency for the first time in 20 years when he was elected to Dáil Éireann at the age of 31. His father Donal was the only other candidate to win a second seat for the party in Clare.

Appointed as Deputy Spokesperson on Justice with special responsibility for Juvenile Justice, he worked with others to see off the heave on Enda Kenny’s leadership of Fine Gael. He was re-elected to the Dáil in 2011 for a second term and appointed Assistant Government Chief Whip, having served as Fine Gael Deputy Whip in the previous Dáil. He served as a member of the Committee on Procedures and Privileges and  was appointed Chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Administration

Re-elected for his third Dáil term in 2016, he was appointed to the British Irish Parliamentary Assembly and served as Chairman of the Committee on Sovereign Matters. He served as a member of the Oireachtas Commission and was subsequently elected chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Rural and Community Development. In February 2020, he was the only sitting Clare TD to be re-elected to the Dáil thereby securing a fourth successive term. In the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic, he established the Shannon Airport Oireachtas Group and became its Chairperson. He was appointed temporary Chair of Dáil Éireann by the Ceann Comhairle and became a member of the Oireachtas Commission for a second term. He was later selected as Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Transport and Communications.