Gerard Craughwell

Gerard Patrick Craughwell (born 22 November 1953) is an Irish Independent politician who has served as a Senator since 2014 for the Cultural and Educational Panel (2014–16) and for the Labour Panel (2016 to present).[3][3][4]

Senator

Gerard Craughwell
Senator
Assumed office
27 April 2016
ConstituencyLabour Panel
In office
24 October 2014 – 27 April 2016
ConstituencyCultural and Educational Panel
Personal details
Born
Gerard Patrick Craughwell

(1953-11-22) 22 November 1953[1]
Galway, Ireland
NationalityIrish
Political partyIndependent
Other political
affiliations		Independent Alliance
(2015–2016)
Fine Gael (until 2012)
Spouse(s)Helen Craughwell
(m. 1978)[2]
Children2[2]
Alma materLimerick Senior College[2]
Websitegerardcraughwell.ie
Military service
Allegiance United Kingdom
 Ireland
Branch/service British Army
Irish Army
Rank Sergeant
UnitRoyal Irish Rangers
1 Infantry Battalion

Early and personal life

Craughwell was born in Galway and grew up in Salthill.[2] When he was 16, he emigrated to the United Kingdom, settling in London, working in a pub before joining the Royal Irish Rangers.[2][5] After five years he returned to Ireland and joined the Irish Army, serving in the first infantry battalion and fifth medical company at Renmore Barracks in Galway and rising to the rank of sergeant.[2][5] He left the army in 1980 and took over his father's gas appliance maintenance business until it failed in 1983.[2] Aged 35, he entered further education as a student in Limerick Senior College, gaining a degree in economics accredited by the London School of Economics.[1] and then teaching in Dún Laoghaire Senior College.[2] He joined the national executive of the Teachers' Union of Ireland in 2009,[5] and was president between 2012 and June 2014.[2][5]

He is married with two children.[2] He was previously a member of Fine Gael, but ruled out re-joining the party.[5]

Seanad

Fine Gael senator Deirdre Clune resigned from the Cultural and Educational Panel in the Seanad after being elected to the European Parliament for the South constituency at the 2014 European Parliament election. The by-election to fill the casual vacancy as its electorate the 225 members of the Oireachtas; nomination by nine members was required to be added to the ballot.

Craughwell put himself forward in August 2014 as an independent candidate, initially a symbolic gesture to protest against the usual practice of the government using its parliamentary majority to secure the election of its chosen candidate.[6] Craughwell secured nomination from members of the technical group and Fianna Fáil.[7]

On 12 September 2014, the Minister for Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht Heather Humphreys wrote to John McNulty, a businessman who had run unsuccessfully for Donegal County Council in the 2014 local elections, offering him a place on the board of the Irish Museum of Modern Art (IMMA); he accepted on 15 September, and before nominations closed on 18 September Fine Gael nominated him for the by-election to fill the Seanad vacancy.[8][9][10] Opposition politicians protested that McNulty's IMMA appointment was abusive and had been made solely to bolster his eligibility for the Cultural and Educational Panel; Humphreys took responsibility for the appointment and refused to state whether others had pressed her to make it.[11] McNulty resigned from the IMMA board on 25 September, stating its rules prohibited board members from running for election.[12] On 23 February 2016, in a televised debate before the 2016 general election, Enda Kenny appeared to concede for the first time that it was his decision to nominate McNulty to IMMA, later backtracking somewhat.[13]

On 30 September, McNulty withdrew his name from consideration in the by-election, stating that "to contest the election would be an ongoing distraction from the critical work of Government"; however, as the period to formally withdraw had elapsed, his name remained on the ballot paper and he requested that electors not vote for him.[14] Many electors voted for McNulty regardless, but Craughwell won the election on 10 October 2014.[15]

2014 Seanad by-election: Cultural and Educational Panel[15]
PartyCandidateFPv%Count 1Count 2
Independent Gerard Craughwell 45.1 87 98
Fine Gael John McNulty 43.5 84 85
Sinn Féin Catherine Seeley 11.4 22 —
Electorate: 223   Valid: 193   Quota: 96.501   Turnout: 86.5%

    Craughwell tried twice to join the Independent Seanad group, but it refused to admit him.[16] He suggested the group, mainly Taoiseach's nominees, was compromising its independence and supporting the government.[16] He later joined the Independent Alliance.[17] He did not endorse Alliance members' criticism of the government's January 2016 appointment of David Begg, as Chair of the Pensions Authority.[18]

    Craughwell ran in the Seanad election in April 2016 and was elected this time for the Labour Panel.[19]

    Craughwell left the Independent Alliance during the government formation talks in 2016.[20]

    After raising the HPV vaccine in the Seanad,[21] he distanced himself from anti-vaccine campaigners.[22]

    2018 presidential campaign

    Craughwell indicated that he would seek a nomination for the 2018 presidential election,[23] but later withdrew his intention, claiming that the main political parties were "working together to deny the citizens of this Republic the opportunity to select their next President by means of an election".[24]

    He would have needed the support of four local authorities or 20 Oireachtas members to be nominated. He defended advising local councillors on how best to "maximise" their mileage expenses.[25]

    References
    1. "Profile". gerardcraughwell.ie. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
    2. Minihan, Mary (11 October 2014). "Gerard Craughwell served in Royal Irish Rangers second battalion for five years". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
    3. "Gerard Craughwell wins Seanad by-election". RTÉ News. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 10 October 2014.
    4. "Gerard Craughwell". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 1 August 2019.
    5. "Gerard Craughwell: I'm ecstatic and deeply grateful to be elected to Senate". Irish Independent. 10 October 2014.
    6. "This man wants to stop the 'silly charade' and run for the Seanad". TheJournal.ie. 8 August 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
    7. Sheahan, Fionnan; Griffin, Sam (6 October 2014). "Seanad poll in balance as Varadkar says he won't vote for McNulty". Irish Independent. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
    8. "Minister admits: FG candidate didn't apply for state job". Today FM. 23 September 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
    9. O'Connell, Hugh (29 October 2014). "Here is John McNulty's handwritten note accepting his controversial state board appointment". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
    10. O'Connell, Hugh (18 September 2014). "This guy is Fine Gael's surprise pick for the vacant Seanad seat". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
    11. O'Connell, Hugh (27 September 2014). "8 things you need to know about Fine Gael's Seanad shambles… and why it matters". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
    12. Melia, Paul (25 September 2014). "John McNulty resigns from IMMA board with immediate effect -". Irish Independent. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
    13. Bardon, Sarah (24 February 2016). "Enda Kenny backtracks on John McNulty admission". The Irish Times. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
    14. O'Connell, Hugh (30 September 2014). "GONE: John McNulty has withdrawn from the Seanad by-election". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
    15. "Craughwell wins Seanad by-election". RTÉ.ie. 10 October 2014. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
    16. Ryan, Órla (3 June 2015). "Our newest Senator is 'dismayed' at being denied entry to independent group". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 24 February 2016.
    17. Kelly, Fiach (28 March 2015). "Independents alliance 'keeping options open' ahead of election". The Irish Times.
    18. O'Brien, Stephen (24 January 2016). "Alliance divided on Begg appointment". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
    19. Gartland, Fiona. "At least 22 Independent Alliance candidates to run in general election". The Irish Times. Retrieved 25 February 2016.
    20. Prominent senator quits 'Independent Alliance' due to frustration over lack of involvement in Government formation talks by Niall O'Connor, The Irish Independent, 29 April 2016.
    21. Seanad Éireann debate - Tuesday, 29 Nov 2016
    22. Senator denies being against HPV vaccine after backlash
    23. Brophy, Daragh (28 December 2017). "'I'm not playing games – this is about winning the presidency': Craughwell expecting to secure backing for Áras run". TheJournal.ie.
    24. "Craughwell says he will not contest Presidential Election". rte.ie. RTÉ. 23 July 2018. Retrieved 23 July 2018.
    25. Duffy, Rónán. "Presidential hopeful defends advising local councillors about how to 'maximise' mileage expenses". TheJournal.ie. Retrieved 13 June 2018.

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