Alison Comyn and Taoiseach Micheal Martin chatting with Margaret Keaveney on West Street during the election campaign in November.
The former Drogheda Independent journalist Alison Comyn, who stood for Fianna Fáil in the General Election in Louth and came very close to winning a seat on her first attempt, has been nominated to become a Senator by Taoiseach Micheal Martin.
Alison may be the first female Fianna Fail Senator from Drogheda in history, but she’s not the first Comyn in the Seanad! As the 55-year old former journalist prepares to take her seat in the Seanad chambers on Wednesday, she says she only recently learned of her namesake’s role in the Upper House.
“I don’t know whether we are directly related or not, but the Seanad was only six years old when Clare man Michael Comyn served as a Fianna Fáil Senator for almost ten years between 1928 and 1936, so I like to think I might be following in his footsteps in some way,” says Alison. “He had advised Dev on the foundation of the party after the Civil War, so maybe fate played a hand!”
Alison stood as a first time candidate for Louth in last year’s General Election, narrowly missing out on a seat in the 20th count.
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Her nomination to the Senate by Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin had been widely tipped but never guaranteed, and now that it is confirmed, the Louth woman is itching to get started in her new role.
“I had so many plans for the whole of Louth and East Meath when I was running my campaign, and was devastated when I didn’t get the chance as a TD,” she says.
“Whilst being a Senator isn’t exactly the same thing, it still means I can work hard to get our region on the map, highlight the serious issues we have, attract funding and resources and help our other local representatives with solving problems for the local community.”
Alison says that one of her key objectives during her campaign was the restoration of local government, something she is delighted to see in the Programme for Government, and is keen to get working on in some capacity when choosing committees on which to work.
“Thankfully common sense is prevailing, and the importance of town councils is once again being recognised,” explains Alison. “And certainly in the case of Drogheda, restoration of local democracy is a major stepping-stone on our path to city status, so I will be eager to continue that quest as much as possible.”
Alison is also keen to work on legislation to combat coercive control and domestic and gender-based violence in relationships, and looks forward to the legislative debate side of the role.
“There’s a saying “never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has”, and I know I can’t solve all the problems we have, but am so honoured and humbled that I have been given an incredible opportunity to make some positive changes,” she says.
“It takes people from all walks of life - men and women of all ages and backgrounds - to scrutinise and reflect on legislation, and I am delighted that the Taoiseach feels that my background and experience can assist with this oversight and stability.”
Alison has been a journalist for over 30 years, working with the BBC, Sky News, UTV Ireland and of course the Drogheda Independent. This is a brand new role for the mum of two, and she says she is getting great advice from new and existing senators as to what she might expect.
“Whilst I’ve worked alongside politicians throughout my media career, a lot of what the job entails still remains a mystery, so I do feel like I’m starting school, and I haven’t all my homework done,” she laughs.
“It’ll be a steep learning curve, but I am determined to make the most of this exceptional opportunity to learn, and grow into a hard-working and able legislator, just like the first Senator Comyn.”