Rush man announces run for Seanad Éireann

Former Green Party councillor Joe Corr has been nominated as a candidate in the Seanad Éireann elections by the Irish Planning Institute.

Mr Corr, from Rush in North County Dublin, will be a running as an independent on the Seanad’s Industrial and Commercial Panel. He is the immediate past president of the Irish Planning Institution.

Previously, Mr Corr was an elected member of Fingal County Council and also held the office of Mayor during his tenure.  

Commenting on the nomination, President of the Irish Planning Institute, Dr Conor Norton, said: “The Seanad is an important part of our democratic process and the planning profession would welcome the presence of a qualified planner in the Seanad.

“As President of the Institute for 2018 and 2019, Joe championed the role of elected representatives in the planning process.”

Announcing his candidacy, Mr Corr said: “I am honoured to accept this nomination from the Irish Planning Institute as a candidate for election to the 26th Seanad. With experience as both a professional planner and as a former elected member and Mayor of Fingal County Council, I can bring unique insight and experience to the upper house.

“I am passionate about improving the quality of life for the people of Ireland and, if elected, I will work to build public confidence in the planning system to continue delivery of the National Planning Framework and fight for funding to restore power to local authorities to deliver housing at local level.”

Mr Corr is an experienced town planner and holds an MSc in Spatial Planning from TU Dublin. He also runs his own planning consultancy, Corr & Associates, in north County Dublin.