Defeated Social Democrats general election candidate Patricia Stephenson has been elected to the Seanad.
Ms. Stephenson was elected on the Labour panel, and will become the Social Democats’ first representative in Seanad Eireann.
She will join the Green Party’s Malcolm Noonan as the second candidate from Kilkenny elected to the upper house.
Speaking to KCLR News, Stephenson noted that she was honoured to be elected, stating that she was “overwhelmed”, before adding that “I’m really happy and excited, you know there’s a lot of hard work no doubt ahead of me, and I’m really looking forward to it, and getting stuck in on that, and of course working with my colleagues across the parliamentary party with the Social Democrats.”
Stephenson also outlined her priorities for her time in the Seanad, highlighting legislation can deliver for ordinary working families, whilst also being compliant with international human rights, as a key focus.
“Another thing for me, is that I’ve spent a lot of time working in peacebuilding”, she added, “so its around how we can build resilient communities that are focused on peace and positivity, and social cohesion is another really motivating factor for me.”
