Former Clare Fianna Fáil TD Timmy Dooley is seeking a swift return to politics.
The Mountshannon native, who lost his Dáil seat earlier this month, is among at least four Clare candidates who will be running in the Seanad elections.
Seanad election candidates require a nomination from an approved body to get their names on the ballot paper, and today the Restaurant’s Association of Ireland has announced Timmy Dooley as their choice.
The prominent former Fianna Fáil frontbench figure lost his Clare Dáil seat in this month’s General Election, but will now seek a return to the Seanad where he began his political career in 2002.
Timmy Dooley will run on the Industrial and Commercial Panel along with another Clare Fianna Fáil hopeful, Lahinch hotelier and former President of the Irish Hotels Federation Michael Vaughan.
Also in these elections, Senator Martin Conway will look to retain his seat.
He’s been confirmed as a candidate on the Administrative Panel, along with Anne Marie Flanagan.
The disability rights activist from Ennis has been put forward by the Independent Living Movement of Ireland group.
Today is the deadline for groups to nominate candidates for the Seanad election, though political parties have another week, so more Clare names could be added to the ballot paper.
Ballot papers will be issued in the middle of March, and voting will conclude at the end of next month.
