Mal O'Hara: Green Party NI leader set to become Irish senator

Mal O'Hara has pledged to amplify Northern Ireland voices in the Oireachtas (Irish parliament)

The leader of the Green Party in Northern Ireland, Mal O'Hara, is set to be elected to the Irish parliament as a senator.

The former Belfast City Councillor was nominated unopposed on Monday evening,

If confirmed, Mr O'Hara would fill a seat previously held by Sinn Féin's Niall Ó Donnghaile, who resigned last year for health reasons.

His appointment is likely to take place on 8 April, according to the party.

Mal O'Hara became the Green Party leader in Northern Ireland in August 2022, replacing Clare Bailey who chose not to stand for re-election as leader after losing her seat in the Stormont assembly election in May.

He served as a Belfast City Councillor for the Castle ward between 2019 and 2023, losing his seat during last year's local government election.

Amplify NI voices

In a statement, Mr O'Hara said: "It is important that a Northern Ireland voice remains in the Seanad (Irish Senate).

"I believe that with my background as an activist, my almost two decades in the community and voluntary sector, my time as a Belfast City Councillor, as a Harbour Commissioner and board member of mental health charities, I can authentically advocate on behalf of all communities.

"I will ensure that all voices from Northern Ireland are amplified in the Seanad."

All-island perspective

If elected to the Seanad, O'Hara would become the party's fifth sitting senator.

Green Party leader Eamon Ryan said Mr O'Hara will bring "a unique all-island perspective".

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"As a community worker, activist and a politician, Mal has worked tirelessly to promote peace, prosperity, tolerance, climate and social justice across different political, social and cultural divides," Mr Ryan said.

"I look forward to the positive contributions he will make, not just in the Seanad itself, but to politics in general and this island's social and economic progress over the coming year."

Senator Roisin Garvey, leader of the Green Party in the Seanad, welcomed the news, adding: "the more strong voices we have the better".