PROF Joe Lee is to retire from the Seanad, while Prof William Binchy is to seek a seat, it emerged yesterday when nominations closed for the six seats in the university panels.
Prof Lee, professor of modern history in UCC and author of the highly acclaimed Ireland 1912-1985, was elected to the National University of Ireland panel as an Independent in 1992, becoming one of the Seanad's ablest performers. His surprise decision to stand down was taken last week and is understood to be due to his desire to do more writing.
A family source said he had not ruled out running again in a future election.
The other two outgoing senators in the NUI panel, the businessman, Mr Feargal Quinn, and the general secretary of INTO, Mr Joe O Toole, are seeking reelection, while Mr Brendan Ryan, a lecturer at Cork RTC, who lost his seat in the last election, is a candidate.
The other candidates are: Mr Tommy Francis, a teacher from Falcarragh, Letterkenpy, Co Donegal; Ms Ann Mary O Cleirigh a psychologist, Braemor Park Dublin; Ms Linda O'SheaFarren Raglan Road, Dublin, a solicitor and programme manager for the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owens Mr Brendan Price, a wildlife consultant, Tobergregan, Garristown, Dublin, and Mr Eamon D. Ryan a businessman, of Dartry Park, Dublin.
Prof Binchy, regius professor of law at Trinity College, Dublin, who played a prominent role in the campaign against the introduction of divorce in the 1995, referendum, is contesting the Trinity College panel. He was a candidate in 1992, when he received the fourth highest first preference vote, but failed to get sufficient transfers to be elected.
He said yesterday his campaign would not concentrate on social issues alone.
The three outgoing senators in the panel, Mr David Norris, Mr Shane Ross and Dr Mary Henry, are seeking reelection, and the other candidates are: Lord Mount Charles, a former Fine Gael candidate in Louth, from Slane, Co Meath; Mr Sean Barrett, a lecturer in economics in Trinity College; Ms Ivana Catherine Bacik, Reid professor of criminal law, Trinity College; Dr Brian Caul, director of student affairs at the University of Ulster; Mr Nigel Hutson, a research officer from Lisburn, Co Antrim; Mr Prabhu Kulkarni, a research chemist from Rathfarnham, Dublin; Mr David Martin, a teacher from Greystones, Co Wicklow. Meanwhile, the former Fianna Fail TD for Meath, Mr Colm Hilliard, who stood down, at the general election, has withdrawn as a candidate in the Seanad elections.
