Finian McGrath
Encyclopedia
Finian McGrath is an Irish
independent
politician. He has been a Teachta Dála
(TD) for the Dublin North Central
constituency since 2002.
, County Galway
, he was a primary school principal before entering politics. He had two daughters with his wife, Anne, who died in November 2009.
in 1999 with the second highest vote in the Clontarf
electoral area. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann
at the 2002 general election
where he stood as an Independent Health Alliance
candidate. He joined the Technical Group
, established to ensure Dáil speaking time for the Independent TDs.
In March 2003, due to being a dual mandate
TD, he gave up his Dublin City Council seat to Ger Drogan, who later was replaced by Fintan Cassidy, who failed to get elected in the subsequent 2004 local elections.
McGrath was re-elected to the 30th Dáil in the 2007 election, confounding predictions that he'd lose due to the loss of a seat from the constituency. He survived as he garnered a large number of transfers from the Sinn Féin
and Labour Party
candidates.
As an independent member of the 30th Dáil, McGrath pledged his support for the new government formed in June 2007. In so doing, he secured a deal with Taoiseach
Bertie Ahern
, which he made public by entering it in the Dáil record. This public announcement was hailed by many observers who had criticised other independent TDs such as Michael Lowry
and Jackie Healy-Rae
for keeping similar deals secret. On 20 October 2008, following the 2009 Budget, McGrath withdrew his support for the government, in protest at the abolition of an automatic medical card for the over-70s, cuts in education and the increase of the pupil-teacher ratio. After the election of Pearse Doherty
McGrath joined the Technical Group
, which consisted of the Sinn Féin
deputies and the Independent Maureen O'Sullivan
. He was re-elected in the 2011 general election where he serves as Chair of the Technical Group
.
McGrath endorsed the Independent candidate Damien O'Farrell at the 2009 local elections
for the Clontarf electoral area in Dublin City Council
, who was elected topping the poll with 1.22 of a quota.
", McGrath generally holds left-wing political views. He has cited health
, education
and disability
as his policy priorities. McGrath has also campaigned against the Iraq War and the US military's use of Shannon Airport
as a stopover, and on local environmental issues.
McGrath has spoken in support of Fidel Castro
's socialist
government in Cuba
. When challenged on Cuba's human rights record, McGrath replied that Cuba has "a different kind of democracy to Ireland." When questioned further about Amnesty International
reports on Cuba, McGrath replied, "Well, that's all news to me. I never heard about that. Amnesty hasn't said anything about it to me lately. This is just rightwing propaganda."
in summer 2005, where he came in second. He released a charity single in December 2005 which featured the Christmas song "Angels We Have Heard on High
" and the classic "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
". All proceeds from the sales of this single were donated to Down syndrome
Ireland.
to withdraw their support following revelations that Norris had written a letter to an Israeli court asking clemency
for his former partner Ezra Nawi
, who was then facing criminal charges. Norris withdrew his candidacy on the 2 August due to the controversy. Sinn Féin proposed Martin McGuinness
for their nomination for a presidential candidate. Finian McGrath agreed along with 4 other independent TD to sign Martin McGuiness' nomination paper.
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
independent
Independent (politician)
In politics, an independent or non-party politician is an individual not affiliated to any political party. Independents may hold a centrist viewpoint between those of major political parties, a viewpoint more extreme than any major party, or they may have a viewpoint based on issues that they do...
politician. He has been a Teachta Dála
Teachta Dála
A Teachta Dála , usually abbreviated as TD in English, is a member of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas . It is the equivalent of terms such as "Member of Parliament" or "deputy" used in other states. The official translation of the term is "Deputy to the Dáil", though a more literal...
(TD) for the Dublin North Central
Dublin North Central (Dáil Éireann constituency)
Dublin North–Central is a parliamentary constituency represented in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Irish parliament or Oireachtas. The constituency elects 3 deputies...
constituency since 2002.
Early and personal life
Originally from TuamTuam
Tuam is a town in County Galway, Ireland. The name is pronounced choo-um . It is situated west of the midlands of Ireland, and north of Galway city.-History:...
, County Galway
County Galway
County Galway is a county in Ireland. It is located in the West Region and is also part of the province of Connacht. It is named after the city of Galway. Galway County Council is the local authority for the county. There are several strongly Irish-speaking areas in the west of the county...
, he was a primary school principal before entering politics. He had two daughters with his wife, Anne, who died in November 2009.
Political career
He was elected to Dublin City CouncilDublin City Council
Dublin City Council is the local authority for the city of Dublin in Ireland. It has 52 members and is the largest local authority in Ireland. Until 2001, it was known as Dublin Corporation.-Legal status:...
in 1999 with the second highest vote in the Clontarf
Clontarf, Dublin
Clontarf is a coastal suburb on the northside of Dublin, in Ireland. It is most famous for giving the name to the Battle of Clontarf in 1014, in which Brian Boru, High King of Ireland, defeated the Vikings of Dublin and their allies, the Irish of Leinster. This battle, which extended to districts...
electoral area. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann
Dáil Éireann is the lower house, but principal chamber, of the Oireachtas , which also includes the President of Ireland and Seanad Éireann . It is directly elected at least once in every five years under the system of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote...
at the 2002 general election
Irish general election, 2002
The Irish general election of 2002 was held on Friday, 17 May 2002 just over three weeks after the dissolution of the 28th Dáil on Thursday 25 April by President Mary McAleese, at the request of the Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern...
where he stood as an Independent Health Alliance
Independent Health Alliance
The Independent Health Alliance was a electoral alliance which contested the 2002 Irish general election. The Alliance campaigned on the provision of health services in Ireland, which was a constant criticism of the Fianna Fáil–Progressive Democrats coalition government...
candidate. He joined the Technical Group
Technical Group
In Irish politics, a technical group is a parliamentary group of Teachtaí Dála who associate to increase their speaking rights in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas.-Origin and policy:...
, established to ensure Dáil speaking time for the Independent TDs.
In March 2003, due to being a dual mandate
Dual mandate
A dual mandate is the practice in which elected officials served in more than one elected or other public position simultaneously. This practice is known as double jobbing in Britain and distinguished from double dipping in the United States For example, suppose a...
TD, he gave up his Dublin City Council seat to Ger Drogan, who later was replaced by Fintan Cassidy, who failed to get elected in the subsequent 2004 local elections.
McGrath was re-elected to the 30th Dáil in the 2007 election, confounding predictions that he'd lose due to the loss of a seat from the constituency. He survived as he garnered a large number of transfers from the Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
and Labour Party
Labour Party (Ireland)
The Labour Party is a social-democratic political party in the Republic of Ireland. The Labour Party was founded in 1912 in Clonmel, County Tipperary, by James Connolly, James Larkin and William X. O'Brien as the political wing of the Irish Trade Union Congress. Unlike the other main Irish...
candidates.
As an independent member of the 30th Dáil, McGrath pledged his support for the new government formed in June 2007. In so doing, he secured a deal with Taoiseach
Taoiseach
The Taoiseach is the head of government or prime minister of Ireland. The Taoiseach is appointed by the President upon the nomination of Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas , and must, in order to remain in office, retain the support of a majority in the Dáil.The current Taoiseach is...
Bertie Ahern
Bertie Ahern
Patrick Bartholomew "Bertie" Ahern is a former Irish politician who served as Taoiseach of Ireland from 26 June 1997 to 7 May 2008....
, which he made public by entering it in the Dáil record. This public announcement was hailed by many observers who had criticised other independent TDs such as Michael Lowry
Michael Lowry
Michael Lowry is an Irish politician. He is currently a Teachta Dála for the Tipperary North constituency and continues to enjoy high popularity in his constituency despite being the subject of a criminal investigation resulting from various scandals while in office.-Local government and...
and Jackie Healy-Rae
Jackie Healy-Rae
Jackie Healy-Rae is a former Irish politician who served as an Independent Teachta Dála for the Kerry South constituency from 1997 to 2011.-Early and private life:...
for keeping similar deals secret. On 20 October 2008, following the 2009 Budget, McGrath withdrew his support for the government, in protest at the abolition of an automatic medical card for the over-70s, cuts in education and the increase of the pupil-teacher ratio. After the election of Pearse Doherty
Pearse Doherty
Pearse Doherty is an Irish Sinn Féin politician. He serves as a Teachta Dála for the Donegal South West constituency and as Sinn Féin's Dáil spokesperson on Finance. Doherty formerly served on Donegal County Council from 2004–07 and in Seanad Éireann from 2007–10.-Background and education:Doherty...
McGrath joined the Technical Group
Technical Group
In Irish politics, a technical group is a parliamentary group of Teachtaí Dála who associate to increase their speaking rights in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas.-Origin and policy:...
, which consisted of the Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin is a left wing, Irish republican political party in Ireland. The name is Irish for "ourselves" or "we ourselves", although it is frequently mistranslated as "ourselves alone". Originating in the Sinn Féin organisation founded in 1905 by Arthur Griffith, it took its current form in 1970...
deputies and the Independent Maureen O'Sullivan
Maureen O'Sullivan
Maureen Paula O’Sullivan was an Irish actress.-Early life:O'Sullivan was born in Boyle, County Roscommon, Ireland, the daughter of Roman Catholic parents Mary Lovatt and Charles Joseph O'Sullivan, an officer in The Connaught Rangers who served in The Great War...
. He was re-elected in the 2011 general election where he serves as Chair of the Technical Group
Technical Group
In Irish politics, a technical group is a parliamentary group of Teachtaí Dála who associate to increase their speaking rights in Dáil Éireann, the lower house of the Oireachtas.-Origin and policy:...
.
McGrath endorsed the Independent candidate Damien O'Farrell at the 2009 local elections
Irish local elections, 2009
The 2009 Irish local elections were held in all the counties, cities and towns of Ireland on Friday, 5 June 2009, on the same day as the European Parliament election and two by-elections .-Overview:...
for the Clontarf electoral area in Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council is the local authority for the city of Dublin in Ireland. It has 52 members and is the largest local authority in Ireland. Until 2001, it was known as Dublin Corporation.-Legal status:...
, who was elected topping the poll with 1.22 of a quota.
Political beliefs
Describing himself as "someone who comes from the tradition of Tone and ConnollyJames Connolly
James Connolly was an Irish republican and socialist leader. He was born in the Cowgate area of Edinburgh, Scotland, to Irish immigrant parents and spoke with a Scottish accent throughout his life. He left school for working life at the age of 11, but became one of the leading Marxist theorists of...
", McGrath generally holds left-wing political views. He has cited health
Health
Health is the level of functional or metabolic efficiency of a living being. In humans, it is the general condition of a person's mind, body and spirit, usually meaning to be free from illness, injury or pain...
, education
Education
Education in its broadest, general sense is the means through which the aims and habits of a group of people lives on from one generation to the next. Generally, it occurs through any experience that has a formative effect on the way one thinks, feels, or acts...
and disability
Disability
A disability may be physical, cognitive, mental, sensory, emotional, developmental or some combination of these.Many people would rather be referred to as a person with a disability instead of handicapped...
as his policy priorities. McGrath has also campaigned against the Iraq War and the US military's use of Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport
Shannon Airport, is one of the Republic of Ireland's three primary airports along with Dublin and Cork. In 2010 around 1,750,000 passengers passed through the airport, making it the third busiest airport in the Republic of Ireland after Dublin and Cork, and the fifth busiest airport on the island...
as a stopover, and on local environmental issues.
McGrath has spoken in support of Fidel Castro
Fidel Castro
Fidel Alejandro Castro Ruz is a Cuban revolutionary and politician, having held the position of Prime Minister of Cuba from 1959 to 1976, and then President from 1976 to 2008. He also served as the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba from the party's foundation in 1961 until 2011...
's socialist
Socialism
Socialism is an economic system characterized by social ownership of the means of production and cooperative management of the economy; or a political philosophy advocating such a system. "Social ownership" may refer to any one of, or a combination of, the following: cooperative enterprises,...
government in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. When challenged on Cuba's human rights record, McGrath replied that Cuba has "a different kind of democracy to Ireland." When questioned further about Amnesty International
Amnesty International
Amnesty International is an international non-governmental organisation whose stated mission is "to conduct research and generate action to prevent and end grave abuses of human rights, and to demand justice for those whose rights have been violated."Following a publication of Peter Benenson's...
reports on Cuba, McGrath replied, "Well, that's all news to me. I never heard about that. Amnesty hasn't said anything about it to me lately. This is just rightwing propaganda."
In the media
McGrath was a contestant on the You're a Star charity specialCharity You're A Star
Charity You're a Star is a talent contest created by Radio Telefís Éireann, where various Irish celebrities sing to raise money for the charity of their choice...
in summer 2005, where he came in second. He released a charity single in December 2005 which featured the Christmas song "Angels We Have Heard on High
Angels We Have Heard on High
"Angels We Have Heard on High" is a Christmas carol. The song commemorates the story of the birth of Jesus Christ found in the Gospel of Luke, in which shepherds outside Bethlehem encounter a multitude of angels singing and praising the newborn child....
" and the classic "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
Bad, Bad Leroy Brown
"Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" is the title of a song written by American folk rock singer Jim Croce. Released as part of his 1973 album Life and Times, the song was a Number One pop hit for him, spending two weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in July 1973...
". All proceeds from the sales of this single were donated to Down syndrome
Down syndrome
Down syndrome, or Down's syndrome, trisomy 21, is a chromosomal condition caused by the presence of all or part of an extra 21st chromosome. It is named after John Langdon Down, the British physician who described the syndrome in 1866. The condition was clinically described earlier in the 19th...
Ireland.
2011 presidential election
Finian McGrath initially agreed to support Senator David Norris for nomination for the 2011 presidential election. On 2 August, Norris publicly announced at a press conference that he was withdrawing from the presidential race. This followed the decision of McGrath, and the TDs John Halligan and Thomas PringleThomas Pringle (Irish politician)
Thomas Pringle is an Irish left wing independent politician. He was elected as a Teachta Dála for the Donegal South West constituency at the 2011 general election, unseating the incumbent Tánaiste Mary Coughlan. He was previously a member of Donegal County Council having been elected as an...
to withdraw their support following revelations that Norris had written a letter to an Israeli court asking clemency
Pardon
Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...
for his former partner Ezra Nawi
Ezra Nawi
Ezra Itzhak Nawi is an Israeli human rights activist and pacifist. He is particularly active among the Bedouin herders and farmers of the South Hebron Hills. He has been charged for numerous infractions of the law, convicted for a number of offences, and served several short stints in prison as a...
, who was then facing criminal charges. Norris withdrew his candidacy on the 2 August due to the controversy. Sinn Féin proposed Martin McGuinness
Martin McGuinness
James Martin Pacelli McGuinness is an Irish Sinn Féin politician and the current deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland. McGuinness was also the Sinn Féin candidate for the Irish presidential election, 2011. He was born in Derry, Northern Ireland....
for their nomination for a presidential candidate. Finian McGrath agreed along with 4 other independent TD to sign Martin McGuiness' nomination paper.