Senator Cáit Keane

Senator Cáit Keane entered public life as a Councillor on Dublin County Council in 1991. Cáit is the Fine Gael candidate for the Dublin South West bye-election and was selected for this on July 22nd 2014. Cáit was re-elected at every subsequent election to the Council, topping the poll in the Rathfarnham ward in June 2009.

She was elected to Seanad Éireann in April 2011 on the Labour Panel. Cáit is Seanad spokesperson on Environment, Community and Local Government. Cáit is also on the Oireachtas Committee for Environment, Transport, Culture and the Gaeltacht. In addition, Cáit sits on the Environment and Social Committee at the British-Irish Parliamentary Assembly, and is a member of the Fine Gael Internal Committee on Education, Skills and Social Protection.

In the Oireachtas, Cáit is vocal on matters concerning the environment, health, education and social issues. Since her election to the Seanad, Cáit has covered various environmental, public health, consumer and welfare matters including homelessness, female genital mutilation, the importance of the community/voluntary sector and housing issues (unfinished housing developments, mortgage relief etc.).

She is concerned with Ireland’s high levels of emigration and unemployment, and advocates small Irish indigenous businesses.

Her priorities in the coming years are the environment, the promotion of positive energy solutions and sustainable development.

Her academic qualifications include a Diploma in Community Development B.A. and a M.A. & Dip. in Montessori Education.