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Catherine Ardagh

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Catherine Ardagh
TD
Ardagh in 2024
Teachta Dála
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 2024
ConstituencyDublin South-Central
Senator
In office
8 June 2016 – 1 December 2024
ConstituencyIndustrial and Commercial Panel
Leader of Fianna Fáil in the Seanad
In office
18 May 2016 – 29 June 2020
LeaderMicheál Martin
Preceded byDarragh O'Brien
Succeeded byLisa Chambers
Personal details
Born (1982-09-20) 20 September 1982 (age 42)
Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland
Political partyFianna Fáil
Spouse
Darragh McShea
​
(m. 2016)​
Children2
Parent
Alma mater
Websitecatherineardagh.ie

Catherine Ardagh (born 20 September 1982) is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician who has served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for Dublin South-Central since November 2024. She previously served as a Senator for the Industrial and Commercial Panel from 2016 to 2024 and Leader of Fianna Fáil in the Seanad from 2016 to 2020.[1]

Political career

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County Councillor

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Ardagh was a member of Dublin City Council from 2014 to 2016.[2][3] In April 2014 Ardagh accused Fianna Fáil of "failing women", pointing out that only 17% of its candidates in the 2014 Irish local elections were female, below their own 33% target. She criticised the party for its "macho, rural mindset" and called for steps to encourage female candidates.[4]

Senator

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Ardagh was an unsuccessful candidate for the Dublin South-Central constituency at the 2016 and 2020 general elections.[2][5] In the 2020 general, Ardagh came within 35 votes of gaining a seat.[6][7] Ardagh contested the 2020 election 3 weeks after giving birth to her twin sons Darragh Óg and Seán.[6]

In December 2019 an investigation carried out by RTÉ found that Ardagh, Fianna Fáil's leader in the Seanad, did not vote in 68 out of 120 voting days on which she was recorded as present in Leinster House between June 2016 and July 2019. Ardagh claimed her full Travel and Accommodation Allowance (TAA), amounting to around €13,500 from 2016 to 2018, and stated that she contributed to Seanad debates as part of her leadership role. She cited reasons for missing votes, including constituency meetings related to her selection as a general election candidate, though Senators do not officially represent constituencies. Ardagh also noted that her pregnancy and associated medical complications affected her attendance in 2019. When asked about her legal work as a solicitor possibly explaining missed votes, she declined to comment. She emphasised that she participated in formal votes when necessary but added that such votes had been less frequent due to the confidence and supply agreement between Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.[8]

Ardagh was the Fianna Fáil Seanad spokesperson on Social Protection. She was re-elected as a Senator at the 2020 Seanad election.

In February 2021, Catherine Ardagh spoke publicly about her physical struggles with undergoing five rounds of In vitro fertilisation (IVF), which resulted in the birth of her twin sons. She criticised the high costs of treatment, which she and her husband financed over two and a half years, and called for free IVF in public hospitals. In the Seanad, Ardagh called for greater State support for couples facing fertility challenges, advocating for free IVF in public hospitals. She emphasised that many couples cannot afford even one cycle, often remortgaging homes or delaying major life decisions to cover the costs. She supported changes to the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill (2024) to make this care accessible.[9][10]

In July 2024, Ardagh was selected to contest the next general election for the Dublin South-Central constituency.[11]

In October 2024 Ardagh stated that her family faces significant challenges securing a school place for her autistic son, Darragh Óg. Despite attending an early intervention class at Stratford National School, plans to transition the class to a junior infants group were denied, leaving her uncertain about his educational future. Ardagh criticised the lack of engagement from the school and highlighted the stress faced by parents of children with disabilities, describing it as deeply isolating. She urged Ireland to adopt a more ambitious approach to special education, emphasising that investment in such services benefits society as a whole.[12]

Teachta Dála

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At the 2024 general election, Ardagh was elected to the Dáil.

Political views

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In 2020 Ardagh advocated for a State-funded crèche system to support working mothers, describing it as a sensible economic and social investment, though it was not included in Fianna Fáil's manifesto.[6]

Ardagh has called herself an opponent of NIMBYism, stating that it must be defeated to address housing shortages. Ardagh believes public services should be prioritised over tax cuts.[6]

Personal life

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Ardagh is the daughter of former TD Seán Ardagh Her mother, Marie, was a former member of South Dublin County Council representing the Terenure-Rathfarnham LEA and her brother, Charlie, also served on Dublin City Council for Crumlin-Kimmage for a number of years.[13] Ardagh's husband is Darragh McShea, who was appointed assistant general secretary of Fianna Fáil in 2016.[14]

References

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  1. ^ "Catherine Ardagh". Oireachtas Members Database. Archived from the original on 30 December 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Catherine Ardagh". ElectionsIreland.org. Archived from the original on 6 August 2020. Retrieved 20 July 2019.
  3. ^ McConnell, Daniel (20 April 2016). "Seanad candidates angry as Fianna Fáil runs 'preferred' list". Irish Examiner. Archived from the original on 21 April 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  4. ^ O’Sullivan, Majella (11 April 2014). "FF candidate accuses party of 'failing women'".
  5. ^ Power, Jack (10 February 2020). "Dublin South-Central results: Fine Gael junior minister Catherine Byrne loses seat". Irish Times. Dublin. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  6. ^ a b c d McGreevy, Ronan (3 February 2020). "Election 2020: Twin pressures for Fianna Fáil candidate Catherine Ardagh".
  7. ^ "Dublin South-Central: FF's Ardagh will not rule out a legal challenge". Irish Independent. 1 March 2016. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  8. ^ Connolly, Rachel (12 December 2019). "Senators, expenses and the missed votes". RTÉ News. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  9. ^ Gataveckaite, Gabija (2 February 2021). "Senator tells of her emotional struggle with IVF treatment before she 'hit the jackpot' with twins". Irish Independent. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  10. ^ McNeice, Stephen (2 February 2021). "Senator shares her emotional story of IVF treatment and urges State to support other couples". Newstalk. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  11. ^ Kavanagh, Adrian (10 July 2024). "Candidates for the 2024/2025 General Election by Dáil constituency". Irish Elections. Retrieved 23 September 2024.
  12. ^ Monahan, Tabitha (17 October 2024). ""Your child is left behind" – Fianna Fáil senator Catherine Ardagh on struggle to find school place for autistic son". Irish Independent. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
  13. ^ "Election 2016: Catherine Ardagh". RTÉ News. 17 December 2015. Archived from the original on 1 March 2016. Retrieved 27 April 2016.
  14. ^ "Political chemistry sees love blossom". 21 October 2016.
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