Taoiseach’s failure to appoint anyone from the North a missed opportunity – Senator Conor Murphy
9 February 2025
Sinn Féin Senator Conor Murphy has described the Taoiseach’s failure to appoint anyone from the North to the Seanad as a missed opportunity by government to send a positive message to the unionist and Protestant people that they are valued, wanted and welcome in a united Ireland.
The Seanad has now been without a Northern Unionist voice since 2020 when Ian Marshall was not re-elected.
Sinn Féin, along with Fine Gael, supported Mr Marshall’s successful by-election run in 2018.
Sinn Féin also supported his by-election campaign in 2021 but Mr Marshall lost out when Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael opted to carve up the two vacant seats between them.
Speaking today, Seanadóir Murphy said:
“I am disappointed that the Taoiseach failed to select anyone from the North for his panel of eleven nominees.
“In particular the Taoiseach had an opportunity to appoint people from the unionist and Protestant community.
“This is a lamentable regression by government, considering there has been no unionist voice in the Seanad since Ian Marshall, previously supported by then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, lost his seat.
“It is a missed opportunity by the Taoiseach to send a positive message to the unionist and Protestant people that they are valued, wanted and welcome in a united Ireland.”
