Seanad Leas-Chathaoirleach gives thanks as he is voted in 36-11

Fine Gael Senator Paul Coghlan has been voted Leas- Chathaoirleach of the Seanad by 36 votes to 11 with the support of Fianna Fáil and a number of Independents.

Mr Coghlan became very emotional as he gave his acceptance speech and pledged to be “scrupulously fair and impartial”, when he was in the chair.

The Killarney Senator, who was elected to the Upper House in 1997, is a businessman, whose previous careers including banking, auctioneering and as a funeral undertaker.

‘Lazarus-like’ revival

Fine Gael Seanad leader Jerry Buttimer who nominated him, said Mr Coghlan had huge experience and acumen as a businessman. He referred to his “Lazarus-like” revival during the Seanad election when he had been expected to lose his seat. Mr Buttimer said his revival was an indication of how transfer-friendly the candidate was.

Along with Fine Gael Mr Coghlan was also supported by Independents Joan Freeman, Pádraig Ó Céidigh, Billy Lawless, Rónán Mullen, Marie Louise O’Donnell and David Norris.

The new Leas-Chathaoirleach said he had been described as a “jack of all trades, but hopefully not a master of none”.

Sinn Féin, Labour and the Independents each put forward a candidate for the position.

Sinn Féin Senator Máire Devine, psychiatric nurse and trade union official, and a South Dublin councillor since 2011, lost out for the role by 39 votes to seven. NUI Senator Alice Mary Higgins voted with Sinn Féin for their candidate. Party colleague Pádraig Mac Lochlainn described Ms Devine as a “campaigner and fighter for disadvantaged people”.

Trustworthy and honourable

Labour Senator Denis Landy from Tipperary, previously a councillor, was nominated by party colleague Ivana Bacik who described the second-term Senator as “fair, trustworthy and honourable”. He was defeated by 27 votes to five. Fianna Fáil abstained.

The vote for Independent Senator Gerard Craughwell did not proceed once the vote for Mr Coghlan was taken.

The new Leas-Chathaoirleach said he agreed with the comments of Independent Senator Michael McDowell that “any one of the candidates would have been fit to occupy the chair” and he looked forward to working with all parties and Independents.