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Keaveney eyes a return to Dáil
16.05.08
MOVILLE-based Senator
Cecilia Keaveney has expressed her intention to run
again for a Dáil seat and appealed to Inishowen
people to give her their vote.
The 39-year old, who lost her seat last year, said
she was "pleasantly surpised" this week when a
Labour senator told the Seanad she would have made a
good junior minister. |
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"There was a mention in
the Seanad about the lack of women in the junior
ranks. I was pleasantly surprised when Labour
Senator Dominic Hannigan expressed the view that I
would have been more than capable for the role of
junior minister and he regretted that the Taoiseach
had not taken the option to promote a female senator
to a junior ministry," said Senator Keaveney.
"It may be technically possible to be appointed from
the Senate but it is not a practice that occurs. I
suppose |
the reality remains
that to gain a better gender balance at ministerial
and junior ranks it is important that females are
elected to the Dáil." She went on to express her
desire to return to the Dáil, where she worked for
eleven years.
"I do hope the people of Donegal may support me at
the next opportunity to get re-elected and thus be
in for a real chance to redress the gender numbers.
"Of course our Tánaiste Mary, will continue to give
female representatives a good reputation for work
and capability. I wish her well in her new role."
Meanwhile, the Inishowen senator said it was
"regrettable" her colleague Pat 'the Cope' Gallagher
was returned to the backbenches under Cowen's
reshuffle of the junior ministerial ranks.
"Pat is well known for his drive, commitment and
dedication to his job. In gaining new faces in the
junior ranks there is the other side of losing the
experience of people like the Cope. However I would
like to think that Pat will remain upbeat and know
that his work rate and record is well recognised in
the county. His status is in no way diminished for
us that work closely with him," added Senator
Keaveney. |
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