Cork representation in the Seanad rises to five

Cork’s representation in the Seanad has increased to five, with three further new senators, all of whom stood in November’s general election, elected to the upper house of the Oireachtas.

Two members of Cork City Council and a former Sinn Féin election candidate were elected over the bank holiday weekend, joining in the Seanad Macroom Fine Gael councillor Eileen Lynch and former Fianna Fáil TD for Cork South-West Margaret Murphy O’Mahony.

Ballincollig-based Fine Gael councillor Garret Kelleher and Wilton-based Labour Party councillor Laura Harmon were elected to the Seanad Industrial and Commercial panel, while Nicole Ryan, who ran for Sinn Féin in Cork North-West in November, was elected to the Administrative panel.

Mr Kelleher was the fourth candidate to be deemed elected on the Industrial and Commercial Panel, while Ms Harmon was the sixth candidate to be deemed elected on the Industrial and Commercial Panel.

#Seanad2025 - Garret Kelleher is the 4th candidate to be deemed elected on the Industrial and Commercial Panel, having reached the quota on the 1st sub-parcel of Byrne, Danny votes. #SeeForYourself

Seanad 2025 Results Hub page - https://t.co/ytRjex7qXN pic.twitter.com/xKvTRYbHdL

— Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) February 2, 2025

Mr Kelleher previously worked in the European Commission in Brussels and Luxembourg, in the Directorate General for Health and Consumer Protection, and served on the European health security committee and the European stockpiling committee.

Ms Harmon, a native of Ballyvourney, was president of the Union of Students in Ireland 10 years ago and led its marriage equality campaign.

Elected to Cork City Council’s South West ward in June 2024, Ms Harmon then contested the general election in Cork South-Central and secured 3,005 first preference votes, placing eighth in the five-seater constituency.

Ms Harmon said that in a time of misinformation and disinformation, the upper house’s in-depth debate was needed more than ever.

“The Seanad has often led on national debate and conversations over the years,” she said. 

“For me, housing would be a key priority, as it has been, and also education and equality. I am on the board of Threshold Housing, so it is an area of interest that I have always had.”

Ms Harmon said she wanted to continue to fight for fairness, and to be a fearless voice in the Seanad.

“I find this is a very exciting time in Irish politics, not because of the current Government, but because I think the next election can offer a real choice of a progressive, centre-left Government,” she said.

“The Labour Party’s track record of stability and experience must be a central pillar if we are to succeed in building a unified left in Ireland.”

#Seanad2025 - Nicole Ryan is the 5th candidate to be deemed elected on the Administrative Panel having reached the quota on the 9th sub-parcel of Molloy, Richie votes. #SeeForYourself

Seanad 2025 Results Hub page - https://t.co/ytRjex7qXN pic.twitter.com/TAmoSJiwFl

— Houses of the Oireachtas - Tithe an Oireachtais (@OireachtasNews) February 3, 2025

Elected to the Administrative panel of the Seanad, Sinn Féin’s Nicole Ryan said she would use her new position to continue to fight for greater resources for youth, for women’s health, and for addiction services.

“I’m really proud that I’m in a position now where I can fight for the issues which are close to my heart, and other issues, nationally and those in my constituency,” Ms Ryan said.

“It’s great for the party and for all of the people who worked so hard to get me into the Seanad, and I’m really excited for it.”

West Cork Fine Gael councillor Noel O’Donovan, who was also seeking election in the Administrative Panel election, was excluded following the eighth count of voting.

The five new Cork senators more than double the county’s representation on the previous Seanad, with outgoing Cathaoirleach Jerry Buttimer elected to the Dáil, and former senator Tim Lombard losing his seat on the Agricultural panel.