Joe O'Reilly

Senator
Joe O'Reilly
Senator Joe O'Reilly
Leas-Chathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann
	In office; 22 August 2020 – 16 December 2022
Cathaoirleach	Mark Daly
Preceded by	Jerry Buttimer
Succeeded by	Mark Daly
Senator
	Incumbent
	Assumed office ; 8 June 2016
Constituency	Labour Panel
	In office; 13 September 2007 – 25 February 2011
Constituency	Industrial and Commercial Panel
	In office; 1 November 1989 – 17 February 1993
Constituency	Cultural and Educational Panel
Teachta Dála
	In office; February 2011 – February 2016
Constituency	Cavan–Monaghan
Personal details
Born	Joseph Patrick O'Reilly; 1 April 1955 (age 69); Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland
Political party	Fine Gael
Spouse	Mary Tully (m. 1989)
Children	3
Alma mater	University College Dublin; Trinity College Dublin; St Patrick's College, Dublin; Dublin Institute of Technology;
Website	joeoreilly.ie

Joe O'Reilly (born 1 April 1955) is an Irish Fine Gael politician has served as a Senator for the Labour Panel since April 2016, and previously from 2007 to 2011 for the Industrial and Commercial Panel and from 1989 to 1992 for the Cultural and Educational Panel. He served as Leas-Chathaoirleach of Seanad Éireann from August 2020 to December 2022. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cavan–Monaghan constituency from 2011 to 2016.^[1]

Early and personal life

Born in Cootehill, County Cavan, he was educated at St Patrick's College, Cavan; St. Aidan's Comprehensive School, Cootehill; University College Dublin; Trinity College Dublin; St Patrick's College, Dublin and the Dublin Institute of Technology. O'Reilly is a primary school teacher by profession.

Political career

In local politics, he was first elected to Cavan County Council in 1985 but lost his seat in 1991. He was re-elected at the 1999 local elections for the Bailieborough local electoral area and again in 2004.

He was a candidate at the 2007 general election for the Cavan–Monaghan constituency. As a result of Fianna Fáil Minister Rory O'Hanlon serving as Ceann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 2002 to 2007, he was guaranteed reelection and therefore the seats were reduced from 5 to 4 in the constituency. He finished with a total of 9550 first preference votes, the highest losing vote in the country in that election.^[2] He won a seat in the general election in February 2011.^[3] He lost this Dáil seat at the 2016 general election.^[3]

In European elections, he was an unsuccessful candidate at the 2009 European Parliament election, for the North-West constituency.

As a Senator, he was first elected in 1989 to the 19th Seanad, on the Cultural and Educational Panel. He lost his seat at the 1993 Seanad elections and was unsuccessful again at the 1997 Seanad election. He was elected to the 23rd Seanad in 2007,^[3] serving on the Industrial and Commercial Panel and as Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. O'Reilly was elected to the Labour Panel of the 25th Seanad in April 2016.^[4]

He is the Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Political views

In 2017, Fine Gael announced that they were planning a bill to allow pubs to open on Good Friday, reversing a 90-year-old ban. O'Reilly went against his party's view and said that the tradition was "part of our national identity".^[5]

References

^ "Joe O'Reilly". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
^ "ElectionsIreland.org: 30th Dáil - Cavan Monaghan". electionsireland.org. 24 May 2007. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Joe O'Reilly". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2008.
^ "Clear-out of Seanad 'old guard' a blow to Enda Kenny". Irish Examiner. 28 April 2016. Archived from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2016.
^ "'It's part of our national identity' - FG Senator breaks ranks over Good Friday Alcohol Bill". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2017.

External links

[oireachtas_db-1] "Joe O'Reilly". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 20 April 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2008.

[2] "ElectionsIreland.org: 30th Dáil - Cavan Monaghan". electionsireland.org. 24 May 2007. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 17 June 2021.

[elecs_irl-3] "Joe O'Reilly". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 18 February 2008.

[4] "Clear-out of Seanad 'old guard' a blow to Enda Kenny". Irish Examiner. 28 April 2016. Archived from the original on 30 April 2016. Retrieved 29 April 2016.

[5] "'It's part of our national identity' - FG Senator breaks ranks over Good Friday Alcohol Bill". Irish Independent. Archived from the original on 13 April 2017. Retrieved 12 April 2017.

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v t e « 18th Seanad « Members of the 19th Seanad (1989–1993) » 20th Seanad »
Cathaoirleach Seán Doherty (FF) (1989–1992) Seán Fallon (FF) (1992–1993) Leader of the Seanad Mick Lanigan (FF) (1989–1990) Seán Fallon (FF) (1990–1992) G. V. Wright (FF) (1992–1993)
Administrative Panel	Joe Costello (Lab) Seán Doherty (FF) Michael Finneran (FF) Seán Haughey (FF) Tras Honan (FF) Patrick Kennedy (FG) Tom Raftery (FG)
Agricultural Panel	Avril Doyle (FG) Tom Fitzgerald (FF) Richard Hourigan (FG) Thomas Hussey (FF) Rory Kiely (FF) Seán McCarthy (FF) Charles McDonald (FG) Patrick McGowan (FF) Liam Naughten (FG) Francis O'Brien (FF) Pat Upton (Lab)
Cultural and Educational Panel	Seán Byrne (FF) Maurice Manning (FG) Paschal Mooney (FF) Joe O'Reilly (FG) Éamon Ó Cuív (FF)
Industrial and Commercial Panel	Eddie Bohan (FF) Richard Conroy (FF) Liam T. Cosgrave (FG) Seán Fallon (FF) Willie Farrell (FF) Denis Foley (FF) Michael Howard (FG) John Ryan (Lab) Myles Staunton (FG)
Labour Panel	Donie Cassidy (FF) Des Hanafin (FF) Jack Harte (Lab) Mary Jackman (FG) Dan Kiely (FF) Don Lydon (FF) Larry McMahon (FG) Brian Mullooly (FF) Dan Neville (FG) Pól Ó Foighil (FG) Batt O'Keeffe (FF)
Dublin University	Carmencita Hederman (Ind) David Norris (Ind) Shane Ross (Ind)
National University	John A. Murphy (Ind) Joe O'Toole (Ind) Brendan Ryan (Ind)
Nominated by the Taoiseach	Olga Bennett (FF) Hugh Byrne (FF) Martin Cullen (PD) John Dardis (PD) Helen Keogh (PD) Mick Lanigan (FF) Tony McKenna (FF) Denis O'Donovan (FF) Donal Ormonde (FF) Eoin Ryan Jnr (FF) G. V. Wright (FF)
Elected or nominated later	1992 Brendan Daly (FF) Pat Farrell (FF) Terry Leyden (FF) Dick Roche (FF)
FF: Fianna Fáil FG: Fine Gael Lab: Labour Party PD: Progressive Democrats Ind: Independent

v t e « 22nd Seanad « Members of the 23rd Seanad (2007–2011) » 24th Seanad »
Cathaoirleach Pat Moylan (FF) Leader of the Seanad Donie Cassidy (FF)
Administrative Panel	Mark Daly (FF) Paschal Donohoe (FG) Camillus Glynn (FF) Tony Kett (FF) Nicky McFadden (FG) Brendan Ryan (Lab) Diarmuid Wilson (FF)
Agricultural Panel	Paul Bradford (FG) Paddy Burke (FG) Peter Callanan (FF) John Carty (FF) Pearse Doherty (SF) Alan Kelly (Lab) Pat Moylan (FF) Francis O'Brien (FF) John Paul Phelan (FG) Eugene Regan (FG) Jim Walsh (FF)
Cultural and Educational Panel	Cecilia Keaveney (FF) Labhrás Ó Murchú (FF) Ann Ormonde (FF) Liam Twomey (FG) Alex White (Lab)
Industrial and Commercial Panel	Larry Butler (FF) Paudie Coffey (FG) Paul Coghlan (FG) Dominic Hannigan (Lab) Marc MacSharry (FF) Denis O'Donovan (FF) Joe O'Reilly (FG) Kieran Phelan (FF) Mary White (FF)
Labour Panel	Jerry Buttimer (FG) Donie Cassidy (FF) Maurice Cummins (FG) Geraldine Feeney (FF) Frances Fitzgerald (FG) John Hanafin (FF) Fidelma Healy Eames (FG) Terry Leyden (FF) Michael McCarthy (Lab) Ned O'Sullivan (FF) Phil Prendergast (Lab)
Dublin University	Ivana Bacik (Ind, then Lab) David Norris (Ind) Shane Ross (Ind)
National University	Rónán Mullen (Ind) Joe O'Toole (Ind) Feargal Quinn (Ind)
Nominated by the Taoiseach	Dan Boyle (GP) Martin Brady (FF) Ivor Callely (FF, then Ind) Ciarán Cannon (PD, then FG) Maria Corrigan (FF) Déirdre de Búrca (GP) John Ellis (FF) Eoghan Harris (Ind) Lisa McDonald (FF) Brian Ó Domhnaill (FF) Fiona O'Malley (PD, then Ind)
Elected or appointed later	2009 James Carroll (FF) Niall Ó Brolcháin (GP) 2010 Paschal Mooney (FF) Mark Dearey (GP) 2011 Darragh O'Brien (FF)
FF: Fianna Fáil FG: Fine Gael Lab: Labour Party GP: Green Party PD: Progressive Democrats SF: Sinn Féin Ind: Independent

v t e « 24th Seanad « Members of the 25th Seanad (2016–2020) » 26th Seanad »
Cathaoirleach Denis O'Donovan (FF) Leader of the Seanad Jerry Buttimer (FG)
Administrative Panel	Martin Conway (FG) Mark Daly (FF) John Dolan (Ind) Maura Hopkins (FG) Kevin Humphreys (Lab) Niall Ó Donnghaile (SF) Diarmuid Wilson (FF)
Agricultural Panel	Victor Boyhan (Ind) Paddy Burke (FG) Maria Byrne (FG) Rose Conway-Walsh (SF) Paul Daly (FF) Denis Landy (Lab) Tim Lombard (FG) Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (SF, then Ind) Brian Ó Domhnaill (FF, then Ind) Denis O'Donovan (FF) Grace O'Sullivan (GP)
Cultural and Educational Panel	Lorraine Clifford-Lee (FF) Gabrielle McFadden (FG) Kieran O'Donnell (FG) Keith Swanick (FF) Fintan Warfield (SF)
Industrial and Commercial Panel	Catherine Ardagh (FF) Frances Black (Ind) Colm Burke (FG) Paul Coghlan (FG) Aidan Davitt (FF) Gerry Horkan (FF) Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (SF) Catherine Noone (FG) Aodhán Ó Ríordáin (Lab)
Labour Panel	Jerry Buttimer (FG) Gerard Craughwell (Ind) Máire Devine (SF) Robbie Gallagher (FF) Paul Gavan (SF) Terry Leyden (FF) Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (FF) Ged Nash (Lab) Joe O'Reilly (FG) Ned O'Sullivan (FF) Neale Richmond (FG)
Dublin University	Ivana Bacik (Lab) David Norris (Ind) Lynn Ruane (Ind)
National University	Alice-Mary Higgins (Ind) Michael McDowell Rónán Mullen (Ind)
Nominated by the Taoiseach	Ray Butler (FG) Paudie Coffey (FG) Frank Feighan (FG) Joan Freeman (Ind) Colette Kelleher (Ind) Billy Lawless (Ind) Michelle Mulherin (FG) Pádraig Ó Céidigh (Ind) Marie-Louise O'Donnell (Ind) John O'Mahony (FG) James Reilly (FG)
Elected or appointed later	2018 Ian Marshall (Ind) Anthony Lawlor (FG) 2019 Pippa Hackett (GP) 2020 Seán Kyne (FG)
FF: Fianna Fáil FG: Fine Gael GP: Green Party SF: Sinn Féin Lab: Labour Party Ind: Independent

v t e « 25th Seanad « Members of the 26th Seanad (2020–) » 27th Seanad »
Cathaoirleach Mark Daly (FF) (2020–2022) Jerry Buttimer (FG) (2022–) Leader of the Seanad Regina Doherty (FG) (2020–2022) Lisa Chambers (FF) (2022–)
Administrative Panel	Garret Ahearn (FG) Martin Conway (FG) Mark Daly (FF) Rebecca Moynihan (Lab) Niall Ó Donnghaile (SF) Fiona O'Loughlin (FF) Diarmuid Wilson (FF)
Agricultural Panel	Niall Blaney (FF) Victor Boyhan (Ind) Lynn Boylan (SF) Paddy Burke (FG) Paul Daly (FF) Michael D'Arcy (FG) Pippa Hackett (GP) Annie Hoey (Lab) Tim Lombard (FG) Eugene Murphy (FF, then Ind) Denis O'Donovan (FF)
Cultural and Educational Panel	Malcolm Byrne (FF) Lisa Chambers (FF) Seán Kyne (FG) John McGahon (FG) Fintan Warfield (SF)
Industrial and Commercial Panel	Catherine Ardagh (FF) Frances Black (Ind) Micheál Carrigy (FG) Ollie Crowe (FF) Aidan Davitt (FF) Elisha McCallion (SF) Sharon Keogan (Ind) Mark Wall (Lab) Barry Ward (FG)
Labour Panel	Jerry Buttimer (FG) Shane Cassells (FF) Pat Casey (FF) Gerard Craughwell (Ind) John Cummins (FG) Robbie Gallagher (FF) Paul Gavan (SF) Joe O'Reilly (FG) Pauline O'Reilly (GP) Ned O'Sullivan (FF) Marie Sherlock (Lab)
Dublin University	Ivana Bacik (Lab) David Norris (Ind) Lynn Ruane (Ind)
National University	Alice-Mary Higgins (Ind) Michael McDowell (Ind) Rónán Mullen (Ind)
Nominated by the Taoiseach	Lorraine Clifford-Lee (FF) Emer Currie (FG) Regina Doherty (FG) Aisling Dolan (FG) Timmy Dooley (FF) Mary Fitzpatrick (FF) Eileen Flynn (Ind) Róisín Garvey (GP) Erin McGreehan (FF) Vincent P. Martin (GP) Mary Seery Kearney (FG)
Elected or appointed later	2021 Maria Byrne (FG) Gerry Horkan (FF) 2022 Tom Clonan (Ind) 2024 Mal O'Hara (GP) Nikki Bradley (FG)
FF: Fianna Fáil FG: Fine Gael SF: Sinn Féin Lab: Labour Party GP: Green Party Ind: Independent