Ashbourne graduate enters into Seanad race

An Ashbourne resident is the latest Meath entry into the race for Seanad seats. James Doorley is seeking to win one of three seats on the National University of Ireland (NUI) panel in the upcoming Seanad elections. Some 2,000 Meath graduates of UCD, UCC, NUI Maynooth and NUI Galway who are on the register have the right to vote in the election and will be receiving their ballot papers in the post this week. Voters have until 27th April to cast and return their votes by post to the NUI. Mr Doorley graduated from NUI Maynooth with a BA in Applied Social Studies and a Diploma in Youth and Community Work. He recently completed a postgraduate Diploma in Corporate Governance in UCD. He is currently assistant director of the National Youth Council of Ireland and is also a member of the National Economic and Social Council and was chairman of the Consumers' Association of ireland from 2007 until 2010. "I decided to put my name forward because I believe I can make a positive contribution to public life. I think it is time for people with real life experience to get involved and change the old ways of doing things," he said. Action to address the needs of unemployed graduates and those leaving university in the coming years is one of his top priorities. He has recently co-authored a report on the needs of young jobseekers and unemployed graduates which will be published in the coming weeks. This is among a number of issues which, if elected, he said he will prioritise. Other priorities include action to address the high cost of living and issues affecting children and people with disabilities. He also has a detailed position on political reform, including radical reform of the Seanad and good corporate governance. "The 2,000 Meath NUI voters have a crucial role to play in this election. I would encourage them to vote and I am asking for their number one in this Seanad election," Mr Doorley said. Meanwhile, former Fianna Fail TD in Meath East, Thomas Byrne, is one of 10 Fianna Fail members that party leader Micheál Martin wants "prioritised" in the Seanad election. He was elected to the Dail in 2007 but lost his seat in the recent general election. Fine Gael candidate and east Meath councillor Sirena Campbell is running for the Labour Panel in the Louth constituency.