Limerick candidates gear up for bid to secure election to Seanad Eireann

THERE are five Limerick hopefuls contesting the election to take a seat in the next Seanad - all of whom are women.

With polling taking place at the end of this month, candidates have been travelling around the country in a bid to seal support.

Unlike a Dail general election, the number of people who can vote in the contest for the Upper House is far more limited.

Sitting Senator Maria Byrne, based in O’Connell Avenue in the city, is seeking re-election on the agricultural panel, while Linda O’Shea Farren hopes to be returned to the National University of Ireland panel.

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Although based in Dublin, Ms O’Shea Farren, hails from Limerick and was educated at Presentation Convent and Laurel Hill.

The other three candidates will hope it is a case of third time lucky, having missed out in Dail, local and mayoral elections last year.

Sinn Fein’s Joanne Collins, who is based in Cappagh near Askeaton is contesting the agricultural panel, having represented her party in the General Election and the local election.

Castleconnell’s Dee Ryan, a former chief executive of Limerick Chamber is hoping to win a Fianna Fail seat on the Seanad’s industrial and commercial panel, having missed out in her bid for the mayoralty and Dail Eireann.

Solicitor Michelle Hayes, who practices at Glentworth Street in the city is contesting the cultural and educational panel, having received a nomination from the Veterinary Council of Ireland.

She also sought election for the local authority and the General Election last year.

Elsewhere, veteran Shannon politician Tony Mulcahy will hope to make a return as he contests the industrial and commercial panel.

Meanwhile, former Ireland South MEP Liadh Ní Riada, who also ran for Sinn Fein in the 2018 Presidential election is hoping to be elected onto the cultural and educational panel, and has promised to conduct her business in the Irish language if she is successful.

Senator Paul Gavan, who won election in 2016 and 2020 and was for a time Limerick’s only Seanad representative, is listed as a candidate having received a nomination.

But he has said he will not be actively contesting the election, after failing to receive an endorsement from his Sinn Fein party

Across Ireland, 143 candidates are seeking election to the Seanad.

In all, 60 seats are available in the Upper House.

With 11 of those positions ringfenced for appointment by the Taosieach once he or she is elected, there are in reality only 49 available seats.

These are split across seven panels - the National University of Ireland (three seats), the Dublin University/Trinity College (three seats), Cultural and Educational (five seats), Agricultural (11 seats), Industrial and Commercial (nine seats), Administrative (seven seats), and Labour (11 seats).

Voting in Seanad elections is limited to graduates of certain universities, experts in particular fields, as well as members of the Oireachtas and councillors across Ireland.

Limerick graduates - UL, TUS and MIC - have won the right to vote in Seanad Eireann elections following a Supreme Court decision.

However, they will not be able to do this until the next Seanad election, which must take place up to 90 days following a general election.

The election is conducted by postal ballot, and counting will commence in Dublin after polling closes on January 30.