The Green Party has endorsed two candidates running for the Seanad on the university panels. Party members Martin Hogan and David Hutchinson-Edgar are standing in the National University of Ireland and University of Dublin/Trinity College constituencies, respectively.
"Irrespective of what shape the new government takes, it is extremely important that the Seanad develop its role in Irish politics," Mr Hogan said. The Upper House should be regarded by the general population as "more than merely a stop-gap for aspiring politicians or as a reward for those who have served their time in the Dáil".
Mr Hogan said that he had been canvassing for votes from graduates around the country for the past year: "The reaction received at the doorstep saying that you are a Seanad candidate among NUI graduates is consistently one of surprise at meeting anyone associated with this election. Most of the graduates I have spoken to have never met a Seanad candidate or outgoing senator, let alone had one call to their door." Another candidate with connections to the party is Stephen Douglas, who formerly worked as a Dáil assistant for Green TD Ciarán Cuffe but is now employed as a parliamentary and policy adviser to Labour TD Mary Upton. He also worked as a researcher for Labour MP Roger Godsiff in the UK.
"I want to be a full-time senator because it is a full-time job holding the Government to account for its failings, especially in relation to planning for a better environment," said Mr Douglas, who is running for one of the Trinity College seats. The Teachers' Union of Ireland (TUI) and the Irish Federation of University Teachers have endorsed former TUI president Paddy Healy as a candidate on the NUI panel.
"Education for its own sake must be given a new, higher priority in Irish society. Funding must be raised from the current low levels to the highest international standards. New provision must be made for pre-school education to help break the cycle of disadvantage," said Mr Healy, a brother of outgoing Independent TD Séamus Healy. On the issue of student fees, he said: "The free fees system must be retained and extended. The growth of registration fees must be halted and maintenance grants should be substantially increased.
