Labhras O Murchú
Encyclopedia
Labhrás Ó Murchú is the Director-General of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
, and a member of Seanad Éireann
for Fianna Fáil
.
Born in County Tipperary, Ó Murchú was an unsuccessful candidate in the 1993 elections for the 20th Seanad, standing on the Cultural and Educational Panel. In 1996, the Lord Mayor of Dublin
Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus
awarded him the Dublin City Lord Mayors Award, in recognition of his many achievements in cultural and social work.
He stood again for election to Seanad Éireann
in 1997, nominated by Comhaltas rather than by Fianna Fáil and was elected to the 21st Seanad. He was re-elected in 2002 to the 22nd Seanad and in 2007 to the 23rd Seanad.
On 7 July 2010, he resigned the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party whip
, along with John Hanafin and Jim Walsh
, in protest at the Civil Partnership bill. He rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 23 November 2010.
He was re-elected to the 24th Seanad in 2011, despite pressure on him to resign in order to make way for newer Fianna Fáil candidates, a strategy devised by party leader Micheál Martin
due to Fianna Fáil's disastrous result at the 2011 general election.
On 15 September 2011, at a meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, the issue of the 2011 presidential election was raised. Unexpectedly, Ó Murchú sought to run as an independent candidate. This was widely seen as a challenge to the authority of Micheál Martin. The extended meeting broke up without agreement. The parliamentary party met again on 20 September. Ó Murchú withdrew his request for a nomination and a motion was passed that the party's Oireachtas
members would not nominate or endorse any candidate.
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is the primary Irish organisation dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and the language of Ireland. The name of the organisation is often abbreviated to Comhaltas or CCÉ...
, and a member of Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
for Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
.
Born in County Tipperary, Ó Murchú was an unsuccessful candidate in the 1993 elections for the 20th Seanad, standing on the Cultural and Educational Panel. In 1996, the Lord Mayor of Dublin
Lord Mayor of Dublin
The Lord Mayor of Dublin is the honorific title of the Chairman of Dublin City Council which is the local government body for the city of Dublin, the capital of Ireland. The incumbent is Labour Party Councillor Andrew Montague. The office holder is elected annually by the members of the...
Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus
Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus
Seán Dublin Bay Rockall Loftus was an Irish environmentalist, barrister and politician who drew attention to his campaign issues by changing his name. He was often known as "Dublin Bay Loftus".Born Seán D...
awarded him the Dublin City Lord Mayors Award, in recognition of his many achievements in cultural and social work.
He stood again for election to Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann
Seanad Éireann is the upper house of the Oireachtas , which also comprises the President of Ireland and Dáil Éireann . It is commonly called the Seanad or Senate and its members Senators or Seanadóirí . Unlike Dáil Éireann, it is not directly elected but consists of a mixture of members chosen by...
in 1997, nominated by Comhaltas rather than by Fianna Fáil and was elected to the 21st Seanad. He was re-elected in 2002 to the 22nd Seanad and in 2007 to the 23rd Seanad.
On 7 July 2010, he resigned the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party whip
Whip (politics)
A whip is an official in a political party whose primary purpose is to ensure party discipline in a legislature. Whips are a party's "enforcers", who typically offer inducements and threaten punishments for party members to ensure that they vote according to the official party policy...
, along with John Hanafin and Jim Walsh
Jim Walsh (politician)
Jim Walsh is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician and member of Seanad Éireann since 1997.-Early and personal life:Jim Walsh lives in New Ross, County Wexford. Walsh attended New Ross Christian Brothers School. He is married to Marie Furlong, they have one son and two daughters. Outside of his Seanad...
, in protest at the Civil Partnership bill. He rejoined the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party on 23 November 2010.
He was re-elected to the 24th Seanad in 2011, despite pressure on him to resign in order to make way for newer Fianna Fáil candidates, a strategy devised by party leader Micheál Martin
Micheál Martin
Micheál Martin is an Irish politician who has been leader of Fianna Fáil since January 2011. He is a Teachta Dála for the Cork South Central constituency...
due to Fianna Fáil's disastrous result at the 2011 general election.
On 15 September 2011, at a meeting of the Fianna Fáil parliamentary party, the issue of the 2011 presidential election was raised. Unexpectedly, Ó Murchú sought to run as an independent candidate. This was widely seen as a challenge to the authority of Micheál Martin. The extended meeting broke up without agreement. The parliamentary party met again on 20 September. Ó Murchú withdrew his request for a nomination and a motion was passed that the party's Oireachtas
Oireachtas
The Oireachtas , sometimes referred to as Oireachtas Éireann, is the "national parliament" or legislature of Ireland. The Oireachtas consists of:*The President of Ireland*The two Houses of the Oireachtas :**Dáil Éireann...
members would not nominate or endorse any candidate.