Irony as MEP candidate from Galway can garner votes from all of Donegal

Senator Pauline O’Reilly will contest the European elections in June 2024 in the North West/Midlands constituency as a Green party nominee, after her party selection today in Dublin. 

Ironically the Galway based Senator will be able to court votes from all parts of Donegal, including south Donegal voters, who can only vote in the Sligo/Leitrim constituency for the election of a TD to Dáil Éireann, after the domestic division split was confirmed recently by the Electoral Commission.  

The Euro constituency comprises the counties of Donegal (all of), Cavan, Monaghan, Leitrim, Sligo, Longford, Kildare, Louth, Meath, Monaghan, Roscommon, and Westmeath as well as Galway City and county.

The announcement was made at a press conference in Dublin today following internal elections which saw party members voting for their preferred candidates. 

In response to being selected, Senator O’Reilly, who will now be looking for votes from Donegal electorates across the two constituencies in which they vote for the Dáil said; 

“I'm delighted to have the backing of the two sitting MEPs and members from right across my region of Midlands Northwest in running. I was elected on the first count as a councillor in Galway in 2019. 

“I led the Greens in the Seanad and I am now chair of the Party as well as Senator. I firmly believe that his seat is winnable by someone passionate, determined and hardworking, who understands and listens to the diverse electorate urban and rural, from Eastern commuters to the wilds of Connemara in my own county, and right across the Midlands.  

“I am an experienced legislator. Nationally I played a critical role in the drafting of the Climate Act, as well as multiple pieces of legislation on women's health, sexual assault crimes, and education. 

“At a European level I am an election observer, and a member of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly. The European Parliament is where much of our equality and climate legislation is initiated and we need experienced Green politicians at the table now more than ever.”

Senator O’Reilly has been the chair of the Green Party since 2022.  

The former family law solicitor has been a senator since 2020. She comes from Galway where she sat as a councillor on Galway City Council. 

The Senator is a member of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Education and the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Climate Action. 

She is also Vice Chair of the Gender Equality Committee and Chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Breastfeeding. 

She previously served in a voluntary position within the University of Galway as a board member, was the chair and founder of Cuan na Gaillimhe National School, chairperson of Home Education Network Ireland and a board member of Galway Community Circus and Leisureland.  

All candidates running for the European parliament next year in the North West - Midands constituency will also be able to look for a vote from all those eligible to vote in Donegal, north, south, east and west.