Mallow Councillor Gearóid Murphy is in the final days of campaigning for Seanad Éireann after a whirlwind few weeks of campaigning all over Ireland. The local councillor is campaigning for a seat on the Cultural and Education panel, and said this week that “I am running for the Seanad to draw attention to common issues affecting all of our local areas throughout the country. In particular, I would like to advocate for balanced regional development, which is committed to in the National Development Plan, but will need continuing action to deliver. I would also like to speak up for Cork and the whole Munster region and to push for investment in much-needed projects such as the M20.
“As Chair of the Mallow St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee, I have seen first-hand the value of culture in our communities. I have also served on the Board of Cork Opera House for the past five years and as a member of the Council’s Arts, Culture and Languages Committee.
“My priorities for this area include greater supports for young people to take up trade apprenticeships, a dedicated funding stream for arts infrastructure, such as local community theatres, more resources for autism and special needs in schools, more places and availability of school buses, and reduced third-level fees,” he said.
There are 60 seats up for grabs in the Seanad. Polls will close for six senators elected in two university constituencies on Wednesday next, 29th January, and for 43 senators elected on five vocational panels on Thursday, 30th January. The remaining 11 senators will be nominated by the Taoiseach.
Also seeking a seat is Kanturk councillor Bernard Moynihan (FF) who is campaigning on the Labour panel for the Irish Congress of Trade Unions. He previously sought a seat on the Agricultural panel of the 22nd Seanad in 2002.