Waterford's Matt Shanahan to run for Seanad
Matt Shanahan. Photo: Joe Evans
Outgoing Waterford TD Matt Shanahan has been nominated to stand in the Seanad Elections at the end of January.
The former TD has been nominated for the Industrial and Commercial Panel in the forthcoming Seanad election by ISME, the lobbying group for Irish small and medium enterprises.
“Anyone who knows me or has followed my political career will know I am passionate about SME business and have concerns regarding the increasing challenges within the business environment affecting many of our indigenous sectors," said the Seanad candidate.
"I wish to see a ‘policy reset’ across Government and civil service with respect to SME consideration and I hope if elected to Seanad Eireann I can lead that change.’’
Mr Shanahan narrowly lost his seat in the recent general election on the 12th count after four years in the Dáil. Prior to his tenure in the Dáil, Mr Shanahan was previously a local authority member for Waterford City and County Council, having been co-opted into the seat by current Councillor Mary Roche.
The election nominee first came into the political spotlight due to his role in campaigning for greater health services in the southeast. Mr Shanahan was a prominent member of the campaign for emergency cardiac care at UHW in 2016.
Having set up his own marketing company in 2004, Mr Shanahan developed the ‘Hand On Heart’ initiative to involve sporting figures in the campaign to achieve 24/7 cardiac care in the south east. In the Dáil, Mr Shanahan was a loud and constant voice on the issue of cardiac care at University Hospital Waterford.
After nominating Mr Shanahan, Marc O’Dwyer, Chair of ISME said: “On behalf of our membership around the country, we wish Matt well in the election. We are delighted to nominate someone with a strong pedigree in business and an understanding of the needs of SMEs. ISME urges its members to use their votes to support his election bid.”
