Kildare's Fiona O’Loughlin on being back in the Seanad
Senator Fiona O'Loughlin
“Election day was a difficult day to make a decision, but you can’t walk away from 7,500 first preference votes – the highest polled in the country not to get elected.”
“I am absolutely delighted first and foremost to have been elected in the Seanad elections on the Administrative Panel,” she said.
This panel is voted on by her peers – councillors, senators and TDs.
“I’d like to thank my colleagues for placing their trust in me to represent them in the chamber, because it was like another campaign right after the general election.
“While this role obviously has a national focus, I will use this position to also champion concerns and issues for Kildare such as fair fares, rural connectivity, the protection of the Curragh Plains, a second bridge for Newbridge and investment in our towns, villages and communities.
“To be appointed leader of my party, Fianna Fáil, and deputy leader of the Seanad is a huge honour for me. I aim to repay that trust to all who believed so much in me,” she said.
Senator O’Loughlin has already begun in her new role, confirming: “we started last week”, although she acknowledged there is still one seat to fill on the agricultural section, which is presently being contested in the High Court by Maynooth’s own Angela Feeney.
“The decision is due on 27 February. I have some sympathy for Angela, because she only lost out by one-tenth of a vote, much like how close I was in the General Election,” she said.
