Duffy considers bid for Senate seat
Cllr Mark Duffy has told the he is “considering his options” regards a potential bid for the Seanad.
Mayo councillor Mark Duffy is weighing up a bid for the Seanad.
The Ballina councillor missed out on a seat in Dáil Éireann following his decision to represent Fine Gael and stand in the recent general election.
The ambitious elected representative has already dusted himself down from election disappointment and has had discussions with Fine Gael about a possible tilt for a berth in the Upper House of the Oireachtas.
Cllr Duffy told the that he is “considering his options” and is keen to make a difference and aid his county on a national stage.
“Running for the general election, the whole purpose is to be as effective as possible and deliver for Mayo and influence national policy which can make a difference on the ground and deliver for people. It (the Seanad) is something that I am considering and talking to the party about,” said the former Independent.
“It’s something I have given serious consideration to at the moment,” Cllr Duffy added.
He is understood to have discussed potential Seanad panels with his party.
“I’m just keeping my options open at the moment,” Cllr Duffy stated.
Outside nominations for the Seanad have to be submitted by December 18 and the deadline for internal nominations is December 31.
Cllr Duffy was eliminated on the 11th count during last month’s election. He and Independent councillor Patsy O’Brien lost out in the race for the final two seats to Fine Gael’s Keira Keogh and Aontu’s Paul Lawless.
“It was a really enjoyable campaign. It was great to meet so many people on the doorsteps and in communities,” he commented.
Meanwhile, new TD Paul Lawless and his party have to find a new councillor who can be co-opted onto Mayo County Council following his elevation.
Once Deputy Lawless signs into the Dáil, he will cease to be a councillor and it is up to his party to nominate a successor to Mayo County Council. The co-opted candidate will then have to be approved by a majority of elected members. There is speculation that a relative of Deputy Lawless could take on the position.
