FF maintains control of Seanad despite two losses

FIANNA FÁIL last night retained majority control of the Seanad despite the loss of two seats over the course of the four-day count.

Having lost 100 seats in the 2004 local elections, Fianna Fáil’s voting strength in the Seanad election was reduced by 20%. However, with the extra 50 votes from the Green Party and PDs, the party emerged with its majority intact having held onto 22 of its 24 seats.

With the Taoiseach empowered to appoint 11 senators, the Government’s tally will come to 33 — a comfortable majority in the 60-seat chamber.

Had the party lost up to five seats, its ability to effectively pass legislation would have been hampered. But Fianna Fáil lost only seats to Labour’s Michael McCarthy on the Labour panel and Sinn Féin’s Pearse Doherty on the Agriculture panel.

With all 49 seats on the five panels accounted for, Fine Gael emerged with 14 seats, a loss of one on the last election, to Labour, whose pact with Sinn Fein saw Alex White elected.

Labour secured two additional seats through the panels to bring its total to six.

Brendan Ryan from Dublin was elected through the Administrative panel. But NUI candidate, Senator Brendan Ryan from Cork, lost his seat to lecturer and barrister Ronan Mullen.

Mr Mullen took the third seat behind senators Joe O’Toole and Fergal Quinn.

The three TCD seats were filled by Shane Ross, David Norris and Ivana Bacik.