Fianna Fáil Seanad Leadership Team Appointed

Fianna Fáil Leader Micheál Martin TD has announced that he has appointed Senator Catherine Ardagh as the Fianna Fáil Group Leader in the Seanad.

Senator Mark Daly has been appointed as Deputy Group Leader while Senator Diarmuid Wilson will continue in his role as Fianna Fáil Whip in the Seanad.

Deputy Martin said, “I’m delighted to announce Senator Catherine Ardagh as the new Fianna Fáil Seanad Leader. We have a very talented Seanad team which will play an important role in the coming years. I know that Catherine will be an energetic and very effective leader of that team.

“Having served on Dublin City Council, Catherine is acutely aware of the issues affecting communities across Dublin. She is well placed to reflect the issues which are impacting on people in the capital such as a lack of housing, high levels of homelessness and exorbitant childcare costs. I’ve no doubt that Catherine will use her new role to highlight these issues and drive forward Fianna Fáil’s vision of a fairer Ireland in the upper house.

“I’m also delighted to announce Senator Mark Daly as Fianna Fáil Deputy Seanad Leader. Mark is an experienced and effective representative having first been elected to the Seanad in 2007. He has pursued a wide range of policies since taking office and has placed a particular emphasis on the promotion of human rights.

“Mark has been a consistent voice for Irish people living abroad in his role as Spokesperson for Irish Overseas and Diaspora. He has also played an important role in the 1916 Centenary Celebrations, and is a member of the All-Party Decade of Commemorations working group. He will bring energy and commitment to the Fianna Fáil team in his new role as Deputy Seanad Leader.

“Senator Diarmuid Wilson will also continue in his role as Fianna Fáil Whip in the Seanad. Diarmuid was first elected to the Seanad in 2002 and was subsequently re-elected in 2007, 2011 and 2016. He has a detailed understanding of the rules and procedures of the chamber and is respected across the political divide. There’s no doubt that the Seanad will play an even greater role in political life in the months and years ahead given the formation of a minority Government. Diarmuid will meet the challenges associated with this head on as Seanad Whip,” concluded Deputy Martin.