Veteran Limerick Senator Rory Kiely is set to become Cathaoirleach of the Upper House after winning the Fianna Fáil nomination for the position by just one vote yesterday.
Senator Kiely was chosen at a meeting of Fianna Fáil Senators in Leinster House chaired by the Taoiseach. At the meeting Mr Ahern announced that former Minister Ms Mary O'Rourke would be Leader of the House, while Senator Pat Moylan would be the party whip.
Senator Kiely won the nomination for Cathaoirleach by 15 votes to 14 over Senator Anne Ormonde. Senator Ormonde lost the nomination by just one vote five years ago as well.
Senator Ormonde led on the first count yesterday but was overtaken by Senator Kiely when the other two candidates - Senators Paschal Mooney and Terry Leyden - were eliminated and their votes distributed.
With the Government parties holding a comfortable majority in the Seanad, Senator Kiely is virtually certain to be elected Cathaoirleach when the new Seanad holds its first meeting on September 12th. A farmer by profession, Senator Kiely (68) has been a member of the Seanad since 1977, apart from a brief period when he lost his seat in April 1982. He won it back in January 1983.
He has been a member of the Council of Europe for the past five years and has served as Fianna Fáil spokesman on agriculture in the Seanad in the past. He is active in the GAA, having been a Limerick hurling selector for three years, chairman of the Limerick County Board from 1969 to 1986 and member of the Munster Council from 1982 to the present. He is married with four children.
Senator Kiely will earn a total salary of €86,690 and be entitled to a State car and driver. He will also sit on the Council of State and represent the Oireachtas on inter-parliamentary trips abroad.
Announcing Senator O'Rourke's appointment as Leader of the House, the Taoiseach highlighted her past experience as a Senator, TD, government minister and deputy leader of Fianna Fail. "Mary O'Rourke is a politician of considerable experience", he said. "She will bring good leadership to both experienced Senators and to those who are new to the Seanad."
Senator O'Rourke said she was honoured to be appointed.
"The Taoiseach has made it clear that he expects the new Seanad to develop a stronger political dimension and I look forward to playing a leadership role in ensuring that this is the case."