Clare’s two new Seanad appointees are taking part in the first sitting of the Upper House this afternoon, as they get to work in their new roles.
The appointments of Timmy Dooley and Roisín Garvey as Senators brings the county’s Oireachtas membership to seven.
However, questions are still being asked as to whether Clare will have sufficiently strong representation at government given the lack of a Senior Minister from the West of Ireland.
Cabnet Ministers are meeting this afternoon in their new roles.
After a new government was appointed over the weekend they will be updated on the state of play of COVID-19, while the state of the economy and the cost of the wage supports will be discussed.
The new Seanad is also meet for the first time this afternoon, with 11 nominees appointed by the Taoiseach, including former Clare TD Timmy Dooley and Green Party Councillor Roisín Garvey.
It brings to seven, the number of Oireachtas representatives in this county and Senator Garvey says there’s an onus on them to ensure they deliver for Clare.
There’s no Senior Minister from the West on the new cabinet, though two of the three ‘Super Juniors’ Dara Calleary and Hildegarde Naughton are from Mayo and Galway.
There’s mixed views within the Fianna Fáil Party – Former Minister Tony Killeen thinks Clare is in a good position with increased representation and says lobbying will be the key to achieving balanced regional development.
Clare’s Fianna Fáil TD doesn’t believe increased level of Oireachtas representation will be an advantage to the county however.
Deputy Cathal Crowe says a lot of hard work lies ahead.
Senator Timmy Dooley says it’s up to the county’s seven Oireachtas to ensure the county is represented.
The former TD believes the county will have a voice.
