Lorraine Higgins is new Labour senator

ATHENRY barrister Lorraine Higgins will take her place in Seanad Eireann today (Wednesday) as a Labour party Senator nominated by Taoiseach Enda Kenny on the recommendation of Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore. Lorraine got over 3,500 first preference votes in this year's General Election and she says she is delighted to be selected by the Taoiseach to represent the people of East Galway as a member of the Seanad. 'I would like to thank the people of this constituency for the tremendous support they have given me in the recent General Election and Seanad campaigns. As an Oireachtas member for a party that is in Government, I will endeavour to repay that faith by being a strong advocate for this constituency, in the corridors of power. 'As a Labour Senator, I will have access to Ministers in critical Departments such as Education, Health and Transport, and I will be making sure that East Galway gets a fair crack of the whip when key decisions are being made at Government level,' she says. 'East Galway now has two Labour Party Oireachtas members and I fully intend to work and grow the party in the constituency so that the voice of all people in this area is heard loud and clear at Government level,' she added. The selection of Lorraine Higgins as a Senator is another boost for the Labour Party in Galway East and her strong performance in the General Election helped elect Colm Keaveneny as the first ever Labour TD for this constituency. Following his election Deputy Keaveney's party colleague, Tuam Town Councillor Sean Cunniffe, was co-opted to Galway Co Council and next month further success is on the horizon for the party, in this area, when the new Senator Higgins' close associate, Cllr Mary Loftus, is set to become the next Mayor of Tuam.