The leader of the Green Party, Trevor Sargent, has been selected as the Magill politician of the year for 2007 by a judging panel composed of journalists and political pundits.
Mr Sargent was selected for the top award ahead of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, and the Labour leader, Pat Rabbitte.
The award winners were announced last night at a function in the Royal College of Physicians in Dublin. Magill editor Eamon Delaney said they represented a fair reflection of the political landscape, as drawn up by a highly informed panel. "They have particular spice and relevance in the run-up to what should be a hotly contested general election," he said.
The Greens took a second award with Eamon Ryan being selected as the TD of the year. The title of campaigning politician was awarded to Labour's finance spokeswoman Joan Burton, while heckler of the year went to Fianna Fáil's Johnny Brady. The award for political humorist of the year went to Miriam Lord of The Irish Times.
Other top awards included one for the Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, Noel Dempsey, the magazine's Minister of the year. Senator of the year went to Brian Hayes of Fine Gael, and party colleague Gay Mitchell won the title of MEP of the year.
The award for political gaffe for 2007 went to the Tánaiste, Michael McDowell, for calling Fine Gael's Richard Bruton the "Dr Goebbels of propaganda", while the survivor of the year award went to Bertie Ahern.
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