Veteran Fine Gael councillor Ray McAdam has been elected to the Seanad.
The government majority in the Dáil meant that McAdam was duly elected to the Seanad, with little opposition.
Labour and the Social Democrats backed human rights lawyer Maeve O’Rourke for the role, but Sinn Féin backed Caitlín Ní Bhroin.
With the government majority in the Dáil and Seanad, it was always likely that McAdam was going to be elected, but the lack of a united front for a Seanad seat speaks to the divisions among Ireland’s opposition.
Ray McAdam was first elected to Dublin City Council in 2009 and has been re-elected in every subsequent local election — 2014, 2019, and again in 2024, when he topped the poll for Fine Gael in the North Inner City for the first time in the ward’s history.
He recently served as the 358th Lord Mayor of Dublin and ran in May’s by-election in Dublin Central.
Senator McAdam said, “I am deeply honoured to have been elected to Seanad Éireann and grateful to everyone who placed their confidence in me. I want to thank the nominating bodies who supported my candidacy, my colleagues in Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, and those from other political parties and independents who supported me. Above all, I want to thank my wife, Niamh, and our son, Iarlaith for their love and support.
“Election to the Oireachtas is an enormous privilege and responsibility. I intend to repay that trust through hard work, practical action and a determination to make a real difference,” McAdam said.
A close political ally of former minister Paschal Donohoe, McAdam said, “having represented the North Inner City for 17 years and served as Lord Mayor of Dublin, I know that politics must be judged by the difference it makes to people’s lives. That means delivering more affordable homes, easing household costs and making our communities safer.”
“My commitment to the people and communities of Dublin Central is as strong as ever. I will continue to champion their interests and ensure their voices are heard at national level,” he said.
McAdam stated, “my politics is rooted in community, opportunity and responsibility. I want an Ireland where more people can own their own home, build financial security and share in the prosperity they help create.”
“That is what advancing the common good means to me. Ensuring that Ireland’s success delivers greater security, dignity and opportunity for everyone. For the people of Dublin Central and communities throughout our country, that is the purpose I intend to bring to Seanad Éireann.”
Tánaiste Simon Harris said, “I want to warmly congratulate Ray McAdam on his election to Seanad Éireann. His election today means Fine Gael’s two bye-election candidates in May are now members of the Oireachtas,” in reference to Seán Kyne’s victory in Galway West in May.
“Ray’s win marks another important moment in the renewal of Fine Gael as we gather in Cork this weekend for the party’s Ard Fheis,” Harris stated.
“Throughout his political career, Ray has proven himself to be a person of decency, hard work and public service. For nearly two decades he has championed the communities of Dublin’s North Inner City, first as a councillor and then as Lord Mayor of Dublin.”
“I want to thank everyone who supported Ray, in particular the Director of Elections, Minister Emer Higgins, and the wider Fine Gael family who worked so hard on his behalf. I look forward to working closely with him in the Oireachtas over the coming years,” he said.