CANNON JUMPS SHIP AND JOINS FINE GAEL.Byline: By SENAN HOGAN A GOVERNMENT appointed Senator and former Progressive Democrat leader has joined Fine Gael Fine Gael (fē`nə gāl), Irish political party. Formed in 1933, it was the successor of the party founded by William Cosgrave that held power from the creation of the Irish Free State in 1922 until ousted by the republican Fianna in a direct snub to Fianna Fail. Senator Ciaran Cannon Ciaran Cannon is an Irish politician and member of the 23rd Seanad Éireann for the Progressive Democrats among the Taoiseach's nominees. He was elected to Galway County Council in 2004 to represent the Loughrea electoral area. , who took over at the helm of the PDs after Michael McDowell For other persons named Michael McDowell, see Michael McDowell (disambiguation). Michael McDowell (Irish: Mícheál Mac Dubhghaill;[1] stood down in 2007, announced his decision yesterday. He became the first former PD to join another grouping since the party started to break up last year. His decision has angered some members of Fianna Fail who say Mr Cannon owes his political career to Bertie Ahern. After failing to get elected in Galway East in 2007, he was appointed to the Seanad by the former Taoiseach. Mr Cannon said joining Fine Gael was the best way to represent his constituency of East Galway. He added: "I have been particularly impressed with the party's very positive and constructive approach to the current economic crisis the country is facing and note the very progressive policies announced recently on Oireachtas reform, education reform and job creation." Welcoming Mr Cannon into Fine Gael at Leinster House, leader Enda Kenny described his new recruit as a politician of "ability and commitment". He said: "I wish Ciaran well as he embarks on this new phase of his career and look forward to him making a positive contribution to the party." CAPTION(S): SNUB Ciaran Cannon |
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