Green Party Minister Roderic O’Gorman was another signatory to Ms Chu’s nomination papers, as was Dublin South-West TD Francis Noel Duffy. “Hazel Chu informed Eamon Ryan of her intention to contest the election and he wishes her well.” The Green Party will not be supporting or running any candidate, but any party member is free to contest if they wish to. Unless someone tells me otherwise.”Ī Green Party spokeswoman said: “University Seanad seats are typically not contested by political parties. Ms Chu was asked on Friday if she had the full permission of both Mr Ryan and Ms Martin to run this time and she replied: “Yes. Party leader Eamon Ryan wanted his TDs and Senators to vote for Coalition candidates in the expectation that they would support a Green Party candidate should another vacancy arise during the lifetime of the Government.ĭeputy leader Catherine Martin on the other hand had signed Ms Chu’s nomination papers on that occasion. There was a row last year when Ms Chu contested the byelection in the Industrial and Commercial Panel as an Independent. However, she said that if elected there will be times when she will challenge Government policy as well.

Ms Chu is running as an Independent and says that if elected she will vote with the Green Party in the Seanad. The Green Party executive chose not to select a candidate for the byelection caused by former Labour Party Senator Ivana Bacik’s election to the Dáil last year. Dublin’s former lord mayor Hazel Chu has entered the race for the vacant University of Dublin Seanad seat with the support of high-profile backers.įilm director Lenny Abrahamson, TV producer Maia Dunphy and activist Rory O’Neill, also known as Panti Bliss – were among 10 signatories to the Green Party councillor’s nomination papers.Īnd unlike her ill-fated Seanad run last year, Ms Chu believes she has the full permission of her party leadership to enter the race.

Doctor hazel app