Evanne Ní Chuilinn named as Fine Gael senator by Tánaiste

Broadcaster Evanne Ní Chuilinn has resigned from her role in RTÉ and has been named as a Fine Gael senator by Tánaiste Simon Harris.

Mr Harris said: "I am delighted Evanne has decided to join Fine Gael and will be a Fine Gael Senator. She is an accomplished broadcaster, journalist and author, but also a passionate advocate for women in sport, mental health and women's healthcare.

"She is a fantastic addition to the Fine Gael team and this is a very exciting day for Evanne, her family, but also for the Fine Gael party.

"Evanne embodies the core Fine Gael value of equality of opportunity. I know she will work hard to bring her experience and energy to her work in the Seanad and to the communities she serves," he said

Ms Ní Chuilinn said she is "delighted to have been given this opportunity by the Tánaiste" and is looking forward to "working with my new colleagues, delivering for Ireland as part of the Fine Gael team in government."

"I have enjoyed a varied and exciting career in sports broadcasting for more than two decades - one which I will miss and I am grateful to have had.

"I have never taken for granted the platform my career has afforded me and have been conscious to use my voice in advocating for issues that I've had lived experience of.

"I am passionate about women and girls in sport, minority sports and an Ghaeilge, and as I enter public life, I will continue to live by those passions. I have spoken publicly on private matters such as suicide, mental health, women's health and infertility. These are issues which I know impact so many people across the country and I want, where I can, to be an advocate for them.

In a statement RTÉ wished Ms Ní Chuilinn "the very best of luck as she takes on a new and different challenge".

"Evanne has been a valued member of the team in RTÉ Sport since she joined RTÉ in 2004, presenting sports news bulletins, live GAA, in English and in Irish both for the Sunday Game and Sunday Game Beo.

"Her skill and professionalism led her to playing a central role in RTÉ's extensive coverage of the Women's World Cup in 2023 and the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics which were part of a memorable bumper summer of sport across RTÉ."

"As author of The Great Irish Book of Gaelic Games, and someone who has played camogie her whole life and most recently, GAA football, Evanne has been a powerful advocate for female participation in sport at all levels and all ages. We wish her every success."

Ms Ní Chuilinn is among the 11 nominees to the Seanad by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Tánaiste.

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It follows the election of the other 49 members last week of the Seanad last week.

Under the Constitution, the Taoiseach can select 11 people to sit in the 60 member Upper House of the Oireachtas.

However, under a Coalition deal, the seats were shared out, with six going to Fianna Fáil and five to Fine Gael on the basis that the former secured more seats in the General Election than the latter.

Fianna Fáil's six nominations include Limerick mayoral candidate Dee Ryan, former Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte, broadcaster and Louth general election candidate Alison Comyn, returning Dublin-based Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee, Tipperary South general election candidate and councillor Imelda Goldsboro and former Longford-Westmeath TD Joe Flaherty.

Fine Gael's four other nominees are returning Donegal-based Senator Nikki Bradley, Cork Councillor Noel O'Donovan and councillors Gareth Scahill from Roscommon and Manus Boyle from Donegal.