RTÉ broadcaster resigns as she is named as a Fine Gael senator

Former RTÉ broadcaster Evanne Ní Chuilinn has taken on a major career change as she has been named as a Fine Gael senator by Tánaiste Simon Harris.

Ní Chuilinn is one of eleven nominees to the Seanad by Taoiseach Micheál Martin and the Tánaiste and follows the election of forty-nine other members to the Seanad last week.

Speaking on her nomination, Simon Harris said: "I am delighted Evanne has decided to join Fine Gael and will be a Fine Gael Senator. She is an accomplished broadcaster, journalist and author, but also a passionate advocate for women in sport, mental health and women's healthcare.

"She is a fantastic addition to the Fine Gael team and this is a very exciting day for Evanne, her family, but also for the Fine Gael party."

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Ní Chuillinn said: "I have enjoyed a varied and exciting career in sports broadcasting for more than two decades - one which I will miss and I am grateful to have had.

"I have never taken for granted the platform my career has afforded me and have been conscious to use my voice in advocating for issues that I've had lived experience of.

"I am passionate about women and girls in sport, minority sports and an Ghaeilge, and as I enter public life, I will continue to live by those passions. I have spoken publicly on private matters such as suicide, mental health, women's health and infertility. These are issues which I know impact so many people across the country and I want, where I can, to be an advocate for them.

RTÉ released a statement on the broadcaster's departure, wishing her "the very best of luck as she takes on a new and different challenge".

"Evanne has been a valued member of the team in RTÉ Sport since she joined RTÉ in 2004, presenting sports news bulletins, live GAA, in English and in Irish both for the Sunday Game and Sunday Game Beo.

"Her skill and professionalism led her to playing a central role in RTÉ's extensive coverage of the Women's World Cup in 2023 and the 2024 Paris Olympics and Paralympics which were part of a memorable bumper summer of sport across RTÉ."

Under the Constitution, the Taoiseach has the power to select eleven people to sit in the sixty member Upper House of the Oireachtas.

However, under a Coalition deal, the seats were shared out, with Fianna Fáil receiving six and Fine Gael receiving five on the basis that the former secured more seats in the General Election than the latter.

The six nominees for Fianna Fáil include Limerick mayoral candidate Dee Ryan, Louth general election candidate Alison Comyn, former Galway East TD Anne Rabbitte, returning Dublin-based Senator Lorraine Clifford Lee, Tipperary Councillor Imelda Goldsboro and former Longford-Westmeath TD Joe Flaherty.

The four other nominees for Fine Gael are returning Donegal-based Senator Nikki Bradley, Manus Boyle also from Donegal, Cork Councillor Noel O'Donovan and Roscommon Councillor Gareth Scahill.