Duffy remains in shake-up for Seanad

Ballina’s Mark Duffy remains as the only Mayo candidate seeking election for the Seanad.

The Fine Gael councillor is bidding to take one of five seats on the Labour panel in the Upper House.

Two heavy hitters from the county are set to depart the Seanad.

Fianna Fail’s Lisa Chambers has announced she is to take a step back from politics following General and European election disappointment. Meanwhile, long-serving Fine Gael Senator Paddy Burke has decided to call time on his lengthy stay in the Seanad. The Ballyglass man served as a Senator for 31 years.

Lisa Chambers has not ruled out a return to politics in the future but has decided to depart the political fold for the time being.

I have taken a decision to leave public life after my 11-year involvement, firstly as a county councillor, then as a TD for five years before serving in the Senate.

"However, I am not at this stage completely ruling out a return at some point in the future.

"But, for now, I am planning to take a new direction in my life,” said Ms Chambers.

Her decision leaves a considerable vacuum for the party in Mayo. Ms Chambers was considered one of the brightest lights in the party by the Fianna Fail hierarchy but the former TD failed to win over the Mayo electorate.

A number of potential Mayo candidates ruled themselves out of contention for the Seanad in recent months. Fine Gael councillor Cyril Burke signalled he did not intend to follow in his elder brother’s footsteps and Fianna Fail’s Brendan Mulroy also opted to focus on his work as a councillor. Having being originally nominated by Udaras na Gaeltachta, Belmullet businessman Padraig Conroy decided not to seek election.

Cllr Mark Duffy looks a good bet to take a Seanad spot. He won two local elections as an Independent before making the switch to Fine Gael ahead of November’s general election.

He previously told the Western People that he was keen to influence national policy for the benefit of the people of Mayo and felt election to the Seanad could help him achieve this goal.

The deadline for nominations to the various vocational panels closed last Wednesday.

Should Cllr Duffy secure a Seanad berth, Fine Gael will have to be on the hunt for a Ballina-based candidate to fill Cllr Duffy’s vacant seat in the council chamber.

Aontu's Deirdre Lawless was recently co-opted onto Mayo County Council following her brother Paul ascension to the Dail.