Kenny 'thrilled' at Senator Coghlan's decision to take the Fine Gael whip

TAOISEACH ENDA Kenny declared himself “thrilled” yesterday at the news that Senator Eamon Coghlan is to take the Fine Gael whip.

The former champion athlete, who was nominated to Seanad Éireann by Mr Kenny earlier this year, said he had taken the initiative on the matter by approaching Fine Gael.

Senator Coghlan’s move brings Fine Gael’s strength in the Upper House to 21 out of a total 60 members. The remainder is as follows: Fianna Fail 14; Labour 12; Sinn Féin 3 and Independents 10.

Mr Kenny made the announcement with Senator Coghlan on the Leinster House plinth at 9am yesterday at a press conference announced in an early-morning email.

The Taoiseach said he was “very happy” to receive Senator Coghlan’s request to join Fine Gael.

He had appointed Mr Coghlan to the Seanad because of his achievements as an athlete and his charity work.

“I’m thrilled today that he himself has decided to join the Fine Gael party.” Senator Coghlan said that as a young man he had always admired “from a distance” then-Fine Gael leader Dr Garret FitzGerald and the policies of the party although he had kept quiet about his sentiments.

He had been “very surprised” and honoured last May to be nominated as an Independent member of the Seanad. Since becoming a Senator he had taken a special interest in the fitness level of the youth of Ireland and related issues such as obesity and diabetes.

He said he found it difficult to remain on the periphery and liked the “policies and the vision” of Fine Gael and the Taoiseach “to get us out of these most difficult circumstances”.

He said he had not discussed the move in advance with the Taoiseach, who was informed only on Monday about the application.

Asked if he would now be going for election to the Dáil, Senator Coghlan said his next step was to become a member of Fine Gael. “We’ll take it from there,” he said.

Responding to a question in Irish, Mr Kenny said he would definitely (“cinnte”) accept the Senator’s application for membership.

Mr Kenny will be a guest of honour at a charity dinner organised by Senator Coghlan at the New York Athletic Club on February 15th to raise funds for Our Lady’s Children’s Hospital in Crumlin, Dublin.