The founder of the One-in-Four charity Colm O'Gorman has been nominated to be a member of the Seanad by the Taoiseach.
Colm O'Gorman, founder of the One-in-Four charity, has been appointed Senator: Image: Matt Kavanagh.
Mr O'Gorman's appointment, made to fill the vacancy left by the recent death of Senator Kate Walsh, has immediate effect.
Mr O'Gorman founder the One-in-Four charity to assist survivors of abuse. He was instrumental in the establishment of the Ferns Inquiry, the first State investigation into clerical sexual abuse. His father, Sean, was a Wexford County Councillor for 16 years and contested the General Elections in 1969 and 1973.
"His nomination underlines the importance for our communities and our society that these values are affirmed," Bertie Ahern said in a statement.
PD leader and Tanaiste Michael McDowell congratulated Mr O'Gorman. Mr McDowell said the PD candidate for Wexford was an "extremely worthy person to fill the position".
"We were all delighted this time last year when Colm O'Gorman decided to join the Progressive Democrats to seek a nomination to contest the Wexford Dáil constituency in the General Election," he said.
"I offer him my sincere congratulations now that he has been made a Senator and wish him every success on May 24th."
Following Mr O'Gorman's appointment, Mr McDowell appointed Senator John Minihan as economics spokesman and Mr O'Gorman becomes education spokesman.