O'Rourke to seek Seanad seat
Cllr Aengus O'Rourke has confirmed that he is to seek a seat in the Seanad.
A Seanad election must be held within 90 days of the dissolution of the Dáil Éireann, meaning it is likely to take place before the end of January.
Last July, Cllr O'Rourke went forward to contest the party's general election selection convention in Mullingar, but he withdrew his name from consideration when the party indicated that Robert Troy would be the sole candidate selected in Westmeath.
Despite this, he said he "wasn't really surprised" by Dympna Cunniffe's addition to the ticket last week.
"In the last month or so, Fianna Fáil seems to have put a huge emphasis on adding women, right across the country," he said, adding that Athlone was a suitable location for this, given that it was "a large urban area" without a party candidate.
Cllr O'Rourke was the last Fianna Fáil candidate in Athlone to run for a Dáil seat, when he contested the 2014 by-election following the death of Fine Gael TD Nicky McFadden.
He said that, once it became clear he wouldn't be a Fianna Fáil candidate in this general election, he turned his attention to the Seanad. He previously contested Seanad elections in 2016 and 2020, missing out on a seat by just five votes on the latter occasion.
"I've been seeking a nomination to run (for the Seanad) and I'm very hopeful of receiving a nomination by a nominating body on the Labour panel. I have been canvassing hard the councillors of Ireland to consider me for a vote in the Senate.
If he was to be successful, he would be required to vacate his seat on Westmeath County Council.
"I am four months working on that. My heart is set on it. My efforts and investment have all been in terms of the Senate," he said. "I think if I was to deliver a Senate seat, an Oireachtas position for Athlone, that would be a good day's work for the town."
He said, however, that with the general election now called, he would be focusing his attention in the coming weeks on supporting Dympna Cunniffe's bid for a Dáil seat.
"During the general election period I'll be working on the ground to do my best for Dympna, to ensure that Athlone secures as many number one votes for Dympna, number two votes for Robert Troy, and number three votes for Joe Flaherty, in that order, as possible.
"My hope is that we maximise the Fianna Fáil vote to at least hold our two seats, if not better."
The addition of Ms Cunniffe to the Fianna Fáil ticket in the Longford Westmeath constituency was announced on Tuesday afternoon last, November 5.
Meanwhile, details of the Seanad election process were announced today, Friday.
Under Article 18.8 of the Constitution a general election for the Seanad must take place not later than 90 days after a dissolution of the Dáil.
The 33rd Dáil was dissolved by proclamation of the President on November 8, therefore, the Seanad election must take place not later than February 6. The Seanad is comprised of 60 members, 11 of whom are nominated by An Taoiseach. The remaining 49 seats are contested in a general election – 43 seats by way of an election for panel members and 6 seats by way of an election for university members. For both the panel and university members, the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage is required to make an order within seven days after the dissolution of the Dáil appointing dates and times for the successive stages in the election process.
Panel Members
The period for nominations by Nominating Bodies will expire at noon on Wednesday 18 December 2024.
The period for nominations by members of the Oireachtas will expire at noon on Tuesday 31 December 2024.
The Seanad Returning Officer will sit for the completion of the panels on Wednesday 08 January 2025.
The ballot papers will be issued to the electorate on Wednesday 15 January 2025.
The poll will close at 11.00 a.m. on Thursday 30 January 2025.
University Members
The period for nominations in the University constituencies will expire on Friday 06 December 2024.
The ballot papers will be issued to the electorate on Monday 30 December 2024.
The poll will close at 11.00 a.m. on Wednesday 29 January 2025.
Currently, in Seanad general elections, the six University Members are elected by two three-seat constituencies, the National University of Ireland (NUI) and the University of Dublin (comprising graduates, and those who have obtained a Foundation or non-Foundation Scholarships from Trinity College Dublin).
Under the Seanad Electoral (University Members) (Amendment) Act 2024, any Orders that give effect to timings and dates of polling for University Seats in Seanad General Elections, made after 21 March 2025, will be for a new six-seat ‘Higher Education’ constituency. The franchise for electing the ‘Higher Education’ Senators will be extended from graduates of the NUI and the University of Dublin to all graduates of Designated Institutions of Higher Education in Ireland who are Irish citizens who hold a degree and who are aged 18 or over. The NUI will be the Central Registration Authority, responsible for maintaining the Register of Electors.