The Green Party has today (Wednesday, December 18) announced that Malcolm Noonan has been chosen to run as a candidate for the agricultural panel in the upcoming Seanad election.
The party said that it Seanad electoral taskforce believes Noonan has “the experience and passion to ensure ‘green issues’ are heard in the Seanad”.
Over the past five years, he served as a TD for Carlow-Kilkenny and Minister for Nature, Heritage and Electoral Reform.
Noonan failed in his bid to retain his seat in the Dáil in the recent general election, which left the Green Party with only its leader Roderic O’Gorman returning as a sitting TD.
Election
Accepting his nomination, Malcolm Noonan said that he is honoured to be chosen to represent the Green Party, adding that “this election is an important step in rebuilding the party”.
“As minister, I helped deliver a transformative agenda for Ireland’s natural environment, built heritage and electoral systems.
“I am running for the Seanad to continue this work because the need for climate action and nature restoration is as important as ever,” the 58-year-old from Co. Kilkenny said.
Prior to entering politics, Noonan spent 20 years as a community and environmental activist with Friends of the Earth.
His academic background is in rural development, and he campaigned on issues ranging from natural and built heritage, transport, young people’s issues, integration and social inclusion to participation in the arts.
He has contributed to European urban built heritage policy and has a particular interest in the conservation and economic development of Irish towns and villages.
Seanad
The Seanad elections are due to take place at the end of January 2025.
The upper house of the Oireachtas, which has a total of 60 members, is comprised of eight panels as follows:
- Cultural and educational panel – 5 members;
- Agricultural panel – 11 members;
- Labour panel – 11 members;
- Industrial and commercial panel – 9 members;
- Administrative panel – 7 members;
- National University of Ireland (NUI) – 3 members;
- University of Dublin, Trinity College – 3 members;
- Taoiseach’s nominees – 11 members.
According to the Oireachtas website, the agricultural panel includes people having knowledge and practical experience of agriculture and allied interests and fisheries.