Senator Jim D’Arcy

Jim was first elected to Louth County Council in 1999 and Dundalk Town Council in 2004. He was nominated to Seanad Eireann by An Taoiseach in 2011. He has been a member of Fine Gael all of his adult life. He has worked throughout his political career to bring about sustainable development in his constituency.

Jim is the Fine Gael spokesman on Education in the Senate. A former school Principal he is passionate about education, and enabling every student to reach their full potential. His firm belief is that with the proper support, all students can have a bright future and go on to further education and training, if they so wish.

Jim is a member of the Joint Committee on the Implementation of the Good Friday Agreement. This Committee plays an important role in informing debate on key areas of mutual interest such as North/South economic co-operation.

Jim is also is a member of the North/South Parliamentary Body which is responsible for the implementation of the Good Friday Agreement and meets twice a year in plenary session. 

Another area where he is engaged in is the proposed changes to the constitution. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention.

In January 2014 Jim was delighted to be appointed by the Taoiseach as the Government representative on the Council of Europe. 

In August 2014 Jim was a member of the Council of Europe ad hoc committee observing the Turkish Presidential Election and raised concerns that the Kurds in the South are under threat from the Islamist State of Syria and Iraq (ISIS).

Over the past 3 years Jim has worked tirelessly on the getting the Narrow Water Bridge Project over the line.

Jim has a particular interest in agricultural issues, and has regular meetings with local IFA representatives. He is a fluent Irish speaker and is committed to the development of the language.

In his spare time Jim is a devoted GAA supporter, he also enjoys reading, classical music and dog racing.