Taoiseach Enda Kenny has announced his eleven appointments to the 25th Seanad – but no Kerry politicians are among those named. 
Six of those appointed are former Fine Gael TDs – James Reilly, Paudie Coffey, Michelle Mulherrin, Ray Butler, John O’Mahony and Frankie Feighan. There had been some hopes that former Minister Jimmy Deenihan and former Kerry Senator Tom Sheahan would be among those appointment, but neither made the list. Five of the appointees are independents and include Joan Freeman the founder of Pieta House and Colette Kelleher the CEO of Alzheimers Ireland. Businessman Pádraig O’Céidigh, advocate for Irish Immigrants in the US Billy Lawless and former Senator Marie Louise O’Donnell are also included.
