McGreehan makes her debut speech

NEWLY appointed Senator Erin McGreehan made her maiden remarks in the Seanad Eireann last Monday evening, revealing that it was her dream to one day be a member of the Oireachtas.

The Cooley Fianna Fail member was speaking in the Seanad’s temporary venue - the Convention Centre, stating ‘I am incredibly proud to be standing here as a Taoiseach’s nominee, a worthy Taoiseach’s nominee – not just a party member,’ she said. “Some Senators want to put down these nominees. We are hard working people. We are here with a voice and we are here with a voice worth listening to. I am here to serve my country, my county and my people.

Senator McGreehan moves to the Senate from Louth County Council, where she leaves behind a vacant Fianna Fáil seat.

‘ The honour of being elected to this house is not gone past me. I was a little girl called Erin who was convinced, as a child, that she was meant to be in the Oireachtas, in Dail Eireann. Maybe my parents knew more than I did. As a little girl, I would stay up late at night and sneak into the kitchen to watch Oireachtas Report. I was in awe of the speakers’.

‘I am so privileged to stand here with you all as an equal member, not just a party member. I am here to represent everyone. I take umbrage that we are not all inclusive,’ she said.

‘I know what it is like to live in rural Ireland, I went to college in Galway, I know what it’s like to live in a rural city, I know what it’s like to a mother with a young family, to be struggling with bills, to live with your parents until you can afford to move into a house. These are all important things. I am so proud to be here with that voice today.’