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ENDA KENNY COULD face the prospect of having to fill another vacancy in the Seanad in the coming months with one of his nominees among the favourites to land the role of Children’s Ombudsman.
Independent senator Jillian Van Turnhout has made it into the second round of interviews for the position that was previously held by Emily Logan, the new Human Rights Commissioner.
Van Turnhout is the former head of the Children’s Rights Alliance who was nominated to the upper house by Kenny in 2011. Were she to land the Ombudsman role, it would be at the discretion of the Taoiseach to appoint her replacement.
Given the government is already in the minority in the upper house, with 29 seats, it is likely that Kenny will opt for a member Fine Gael in order to shore up the coalition’s numbers.
The last time the party was required to fill a Seanad vacancy was following the election of Deirdre Clune to the European Parliament in May. However, the entire process was botched.
Kenny was forced to apologise after the party’s nominee for a by-election of Oireachtas members, Donegal-based John McNulty, withdrew his name from consideration. This followed weeks of controversy over McNulty’s appointment to the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Ireland. The seat was eventually taken by independent Gerard Craughwell.
Van Turnhout confirmed to TheJournal.ie last week that she applied for the role of Children’s Ombudsman and had made it to the second round of interviews. It is thought these will take place towards the end of this month.
A number of Fine Gael councillors will come into contention for the vacancy, if it arises, in the upper house with Kenny likely to be under pressure to appoint a woman after several in the party were controversially ignored in the selection of McNulty.
Among those likely to be in contention are the Roscommon-based councillor Maura Hopkins and Dublin city councillor Kate O’Connell. Stephanie Regan, a failed local election candidate in north Dublin who was overlooked for the Seanad vacancy, could also be in the running.
The last time Kenny had to fill a vacancy created by the departure of one of his 11 nominees he opted for Galway-based councillor Hildegarde Naughten to replace Martin McAleese.
First published 7.41am
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Payback for Turncoat for voting for water bill.
I read more failed -read rejected by the citizens – politicians being considered for the Seanad – a disgusting state of affairs. No means No – except for what was supposed to be a respected & knowledgable impartial house. Disgraceful – like the race to make failed/ rejected politicians ” senators” after the last election. Brings the whole office totally into disrepute.
The 11 Taoiseach nominees have to be gotten rid of – That is what makes it farcical – it would defeat much more and cause much more debate but for this in my opinion …..
Although thisd move does open the door for “Puddles” Mcgonigle – I think she has the potential to be highly entertaining and informative Senator ..
Come on Inda do wan for the wimmin !
So the zeenate is packed with also rans, already rejected by voters!
Senate…
I have to agree with you The Seanad has been a closed shop for the political class only. I can say that as the first ever independent outside candidate elected to the Seanad since 1937. Please contact the Seanad Reform Working group with your ideas by email them or write to them at
email: seanadreformwg@taoiseach.gov.ie
By Post clearly marked “Seanad Reform Working Group” and posted to:
Mary Timmins
Protocol and General Division
Department of the Taoiseach
Government Buildings
Merrion Street, Dublin 2
That requires a change to the Constitution Taoiseach’s working group must find reforms without referendum They could start by using Article 19 of the constitution to elect vocational panels
Seanad.
Kenny is doing a great job in tearing this party asunder.
There won’t be a by-election here. She was one of the Taoiseach’s appointments.
Kenny will be able to replace her with whichever of his cronies he chooses.
You are of course correct
“Fine Gael could have another Seanad headache on its hands”
If it gives them an extra seat and makes the government even again with the opposition in terms of seat numbers, surely it is not a headache for them? In fact they are probably hoping Ms Van Turnhout gets the position to boost their numbers?
Although that said, she has a strong track record on children’s rights, particularly as President of the National Youth Council of Ireland and CEO of the Children’s Rights Alliance.
A “Head ache” Ryan because we all have seen the fiasco Enda and FG delivered in the last Seanad election. I’m happy just because I know Endless Enda is involved I’ll be laughing at him again.
Jillian Van Turncoat! :)
Here is a crazy idea – when filling vacancies for Seanad why not find candidates who are suited for the role? This is for the Children’s Ombudsman so a person with a background in a related field would be nice, instead of the normal practice which Fine Gael/Fianna Fail/Labour normally engage in which is throw in a candidate which lost in the previous General Election.
Ahh the Seanad…..
That final bastion of institutional injustice, where the Caligulias’ of State bestow favours on their loyal sychophantic cronies for deeds most foul conducted in secret though the perpetrators are rewarded and lauded most publicly.
A very fine institution contaminated and inhabited by failed politicians and aspiring flunkeys.
Maura Hopkins a strong contender even though the people of Roscommon rejected her in the bye election.
Who cares
I’m sure the Sen. would make a fine Children’s Ombudsman but shouldn’t we really wait for the other candidates to be interviewed first and let the body make its own appointment before we’re all jumping the gun and looking for replacements?
Now is this where one does the Gerard Craughwell pitch of asking people to vote for them? :-)
Sadly if Jillian gets the job her replacement is at the discretion of Taoiseach Kenny no by-election required
Van Turncoat!!!!!!!!
have your say