Roscommon county councillor Gareth Scahill was appointed to Seanad Éireann last Friday, one of Taoiseach Micheál Martin’s 11 nominees to the upper house.
In his maiden speech in Seanad Éireann on Wednesday afternoon, Senator Scahill paid a moving tribute to the late independent councillor Anthony Waldron.
Scahill, who was first elected to Roscommon County Council just last June, said the appointment came as a surprise, but he now intends to make full use of the opportunity.
“The Seanad wasn’t on my radar at all,” Scahill admitted: “I had expected to serve out my term on Roscommon County Council, so it is a great honour to be asked to serve in the Seanad by party leader Simon Harris.”
While stepping into national politics, Scahill has not ruled out a future Dáil bid, stating that he sees his role in the Seanad as a stepping stone rather than a final destination.
“I don’t believe anybody gets appointed to the Seanad to stay there or to be a fly on the wall,” Scahill said. “If there is a general election, I will put myself before the delegates (for prospective selection as a Fine Gael candidate), and I believe I would be in a good position to take a seat – but that decision will be for the party members.”
Tributes and transition
Scahill paid tribute to outgoing Fine Gael senator Aisling Dolan, who was unsuccessful in her bid to secure election to the Seanad Agricultural Panel.
In 2020, Dolan was appointed as one of then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s nominees to the Seanad.
Scahill said that Dolan had done fantastic work for the constituency and Fine Gael, and she had the full support of him and all the Fine Gael councillors in Roscommon in her attempt to get elected in recent weeks: “The result of a Seanad Election is no reflection on the work done in the constituency.”
Scahill also acknowledged the contributions of the late Cllr Anthony Waldron. The Independent councillor from Ballintubber sadly passed over the weekend.
“Before I was ever a councillor, Anthony invited me to the first meeting of the three municipal districts – Ballinasloe, Athlone, and Roscommon – to spearhead the Suck Valley Way development,” he said: “He has left a lasting legacy, and I was privileged to work closely with him over the years.”
As Treasurer and Secretary of the Suck Valley Way Development Co-Op, Scahill said he hopes to continue the work begun by Cllr Waldron as its Chairperson.
A new vacancy
Scahill’s move to the Seanad now means his council seat will need to be filled. He said the decision will be made by his party’s district executive and delegates, adding that there is plenty of talent within the party to step into the role.
He also paid tribute to Cllr John Naughten, who tragically died last October. Cllr Naughten’s replacement will be selected at a selection convention due to take place in the Athlone Springs Hotel on the evening of February 20th. Scahill expressed his hope that his own successor will be selected as soon as possible.
Despite the local elections having been held just over eight months ago, there are now three seats to be filled on Roscommon County Council, following the sad passing of Cllr Anthony Waldron last weekend.
Challenges
Asked about his priorities, Scahill highlighted the development of an apprenticeship training centre in Roscommon town, a project he has worked on alongside councillors from all parties.
Former senator Eugene Murphy wished Scahill luck in the Seanad this week, noting: “Gareth has a genuine interest in developing the county and I know one of his goals will be the opening of an apprenticeship college in Roscommon Town.”
Scahill also says he intends to stay deeply connected to Roscommon-Galway despite working in Leinster House: “One of the biggest challenges will be balancing life in the Seanad with life in Roscommon and not becoming disconnected from the constituency.”
Storm Éowyn
Reflecting on the impact of Storm Éowyn, which left many in Roscommon without power, Scahill praised the resilience of local communities: “The way people pulled together to help one another has been incredible.”
He added: “Community groups have done fantastic work across the county, and they deserve to be supported.”
Our interview had been delayed into the evening as Scahill was still out assisting those without power, a role he said he was more than happy to take on.
He also stressed the importance of having strong representation in Dublin to ensure local groups can access available funding and recover effectively from events like Storm Éowyn and develop in general.
Lemass? What?
Ending on a lighter note, Scahill chuckled when recalling a remark made recently by a colleague who pointed out that he may be “the first person to get into the Seanad with no electricity since Lemass was in power”.
Scahill only had his power reconnected late last week, and got power back contemporaneously with the news that he was being given a different kind of power in the Oireachtas.
