McCormack (SF) selected to run for Senate
Maria McCormack has been selected by Sinn Féin to contest the Seanad elections
DEFEATED Laois general election candidate Maria McCormack has been selected by Sinn Féin to contest the elections to Seanad Éireann.
The party this morning nominated six candidates to contest the upcoming Senate elections in January.
The move follows the resignation of Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley from Sinn Féin at the weekend, leaving the party without an elected representative in Laois for the first time in a quarter-century.
From Ballyroan, Ms McCormack pulled in over 4,900 first preferences in the November general election, to finish fourth in the Laois three-seater behind former Sinn Féin-turned Independent TD Brian Stanley.
Confirming the Laois woman’s Seanad election nomination on the Labour panel today, party leader Mary Lou McDonald said “This is a strong national team who if elected will join 39 TDs in the Dáil as a significant, very potent force in Irish political life. Central to their agenda will be advancing the planning and preparations for Irish reunification.”
The nominees are: Industrial and commercial panel – Conor Murphy MLA; Cultural and educational panel – Pauline Tully; Agricultural panel – Joanne Collins; Labour panel – Chris Andrews and Maria McCormack; Administrative panel – Nicole Ryan.
Ms McDonald said: “They are standing to represent the hopes and ambitions of the hundreds of thousands who voted for Sinn Féin and other parties because they believe politics must change. People who want to see the housing crisis sorted, an end to the trolley crisis, support for families under pressure with the cost of living, hope and opportunity for our young people who are leaving our shores for a better future.
“They will also be a strong and consistent voice for Irish reunification in the Oireachtas as we prepare for the constitutional change. It is critical that we plan for and manage the change that is coming and the Seanad can play a leading role in that work.”
Seanad ballot papers are issued on 15 January and voting closes at 11am on Thursday 30 January.
