Longford Seanad hopefuls Joe Flaherty and Paraic Brady to learn their fate over coming days

The 2025 Seanad Elections conclude this week and two Longford candidates will be on tenterhooks as the counting of votes gets underway.

The Seanad is composed of 60 members.

Eleven Senators are nominated by the Taoiseach, while 49 are elected in Seanad elections.

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Voting for the Senadóirí to take the seats in Upper House of the Oireachtas is restricted to some college graduates, TDs, outgoing Senators and councillors elected to local authorities.

One member of Longford County Council, Paraic Brady (FG), has traversed the island of Ireland in his canvas to represent on the Agricultural Panel.

“I had a very, very positive canvas,” he told the Leader, “A lot of issues were brought up on the doorsteps with councillors.
“The need to look at healthcare was one. A lot of people don't have healthcare,” Cllr Brady said.

The gruelling campaign brought the Fine Gael councillor from Donegal to Cork and Galway to Dublin to meet with voters: “It was a learning curve, if nothing else, to get to know the councillors that's out there, to get to know the different areas and different issues. I have to pay tribute to the wife and kids at home, they went without me for a few nights when I was away travelling.”

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The hustings highlighted the urban rural divide and emphasised the need for a strong rural voice: “I've enjoyed it, whether I'm successful or not. If the councillors want Paraic Brady on the agricultural panel, they'll have voted me on.

“If they don't, I'll be back here at the next council meeting. I'll still fight the fight and I'll work on the issues on the ground.”

Former Fianna Fáil TD, Joe Flaherty is also seeking a place in the Seanad after the disappointment of losing his Dáil seat in the General Election. Mr Flaherty is currently serving in the Upper House as a co-option for Timmy Dooley upon his election to the Dáil. He is seeking election on the Cultural and Educational Panel. 

“I am hopeful as you can be when you are heading into any election,” he said, “we have come through a weekend where thousands of homes have been left without power and water.

“This emphasises the importance of representation at the highest level. Those events put the challenges faced by rural Ireland centre stage, particularly in Longford where our socio-economic challenges are most pronounced.”

Ballots for the Seanad elections were posted to registered voters on December 30, 2024 while the poll will close at 11am on Wednesday, January 29.

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The first results from the University panels are expected on Thursday.

The first results are expected later that evening, but a number of days of counting will take place.

Final results should be known by Monday or Tuesday.