quick review of Seanad candidates
Below is discussion on the Seanad election under the National University of Ireland constituency. 3 Senators are elected from the following 24 candidates.
The Seanad is a highly undemocratic body. 43 Senators are elected by Cllrs, TDs and Senators. The nomination process is highly undemocratic. There are then 11 chosen solely by the Taoiseach. The remaining 6 are elected by graduates of NUI colleges/universities and University of Dublin (Trinity). Here is a quick review of the candidates.
Valerie Bresnihan: an academic playing up 'social justice'
Shane Brodbin: seems like a careerist politician.
Mark Connolly: has no website. From Cork works in financial services.
Liam Crowley: Fianna Fáil
Mark Garavan: involved in Shell2Sea. Generally on the right/conservative wing of that campaign.
Paddy Healy: former TUI president. Endorced by TUI and IFUT unions. Anti-social partnership.
Dr. John Hillery: former IMO president. Possibly FG or FF?
Martin Hogan: Green Party
John Kennedy: Fine Gael
Martina Lowe: no website.
Dáithí MacCárthaigh: Barrister from Meath. right-winger
Oonagh Monahan: self-promoting Debating society type.
Rónán Mullen: "Family Solidarity" candidate. Right-winger/ Pro-lifer.
Bernie O’Callaghan: no wesbite, A hotel owner.
Liam Ó Gógáin: "Fathers Rights" candidate.
Mary O’Riordan: medical Doctor from Limerick. No website
Linda O’Shea Farren: a solicitor and former office holder in NUI. Portraying herself as human rights activist.
Bernadine O'Sullivan: ASTI candidate. Opposed to social partnership. Prominant during teachers' dispute a few years ago. Came close last time.
Joe O'Toole: Sitting Senator. INTO candidate. Right-wing union bureaucrat type fully supportive of social partnership deals.
Susan Philips: describes herself as a 'political analyst'. Was appointed to Board of Carlow RTC by FF/Labour government.
Brendan Price: Founder of Irish Seal Sanctuary
Feargal Quinn: owner of Superquinn supermarkets. Sitting Senator.
Brendan Ryan: sitting Senator. Labour Party candidate
Daniel Sullivan: Fine Gael candidate. cynically describing himself as a disability rights campaigner.