Eileen Flynn (politician)

Eileen Flynn (Irish: Eileen Ní Fhloinn; born 1989/90) is an Irish Independent politician who has served as a Senator since June 2020, after being nominated by the Taoiseach.[1]

Senator

Eileen Flynn
Flynn in 2020
Senator
Assumed office
29 June 2020
ConstituencyNominated by the Taoiseach
Personal details
Born1989/1990 (age 30–31)
Ballyfermot, Dublin, Ireland
NationalityIrish
Political partyIndependent
Spouse(s)Liam Whyte
Children1
Alma mater

Her background is in community development and activism on behalf of Irish Travellers. In June 2020, Taoiseach Micheál Martin appointed Flynn to Seanad Éireann, the Irish Senate.[2] She is the first Traveller to serve in the Oireachtas (legislature).[3][4]

Early life

Eileen and her twin sister Sally were born in Labre Park, a halting site located in Ballyfermot in Dublin.[3][5][6] Flynn's mother died of pneumonia at the age of 48, when Eileen and Sally were 10 years old. Flynn subsequently struggled in school and rebelled against authority. However, Flynn credits her teachers for not giving up on her, and despite her problems both she and her twin became the first members of the Labre Park community to reach third level education in 2008. Flynn studied at Trinity College Dublin as part of an access course before attending Ballyfermot College of Further Education and later earning a degree at Maynooth University,[5] a BA in community development.[4]

Activism

Following the completion of her education, Flynn had been an activist and community worker for a decade, working with groups such as the Irish Traveller Movement, the National Traveller Women’s Forum and Ballyfermot Traveller Action Programme. She also campaigned on issues such as housing, marriage equality, abortion rights and anti-racism.[5]

Political career

Flynn stood as a candidate for the Labour Panel in the 2020 Seanad election, but missed out by a very narrow margin. On 28 June 2020, she became a Senator upon being nominated by the Taoiseach, and in doing so became the first-ever Traveller to be a member the Oireachtas. Pavee Point, the Traveller Advocacy organisation, hailed her ascension to the Seanad as "historic",[7] as did the National Women's Council of Ireland.[8] David Norris, the longest-serving member of the Senate, called her nomination a significant advance.[9] Flynn stated her objectives in the Seanad will be "mental health services, unemployment among Travellers, opportunities for minority groups and getting hate-crime legislation enacted".[3]

Within three days of taking her seat in the Senate, a male senator confronted Flynn and called her a "token" nomination. Flynn retorted back that she had earned her position through her activism.[10][11]

In November 2020, Flynn was elected as chairperson of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Key Issues affecting the Traveller Community.[12]

Awards

Flynn was on the list of the BBC's 100 Women announced on 23 November 2020.[13]

Personal life

Since 2018, Flynn lives in Ardara, County Donegal with her husband Liam Whyte, a settled man, and their child Billie.[3]

References
  1. "Eileen Flynn". Oireachtas Members Database. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  2. Editor, Fiach Kelly Deputy Political; O'Halloran, Marie. "Nine of Taoiseach's 11 Seanad appointees are women". The Irish Times. Retrieved 28 June 2020.CS1 maint: extra text: authors list (link)
  3. Holland, Kitty (11 March 2020). "Seanad hopeful would be first female Traveller in Oireachtas". Irish Times. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  4. "Sunday with Miriam podcast". Sunday with Miriam podcast. 28 June 2020. Event occurs at 40:00. RTE Radio 1. Retrieved 30 June 2020. Miriam O'Callaghan: Are you the first traveller to be elected to the Oireachtas? Flynn: Myself and Pádraig Mac Lochlainn would have had a conversation around this in March actually . Myself and Pádraig have different traveller experience. I was born and reared on a halting site, Pádraig wasn't. We have different upbringings, but we're no less than each other. I don't think he fully identifies as a traveller person, whereas I do because my mother and father were both members of the travelling community
  5. "Eileen Flynn: Irish Traveller makes history by becoming a senator". BBC News. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  6. Doyle, Maggie (29 June 2020). "'Phenomenal' to be nominated as senator, says Travellers' rights campaigner". Retrieved 30 June 2020.
  7. @PaveePoint27 (27 June 2020). "Historic to see first Irish Traveller appointed to Seanad Eireann. Congrats to Irish Traveller feminist Eileen Flynn @Love1solidarity. We need more action and implementation in this vein" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  8. @Womenscouncilireland (27 June 2020). "Huge congrats to Eileen Flynn @Love1solidarity on her nomination to the Seanad! This is a historic day for Traveller women, for Travellers and Irish society. You will be an excellent voice for women's rights and social justice. We were delighted to support your campaign. #Seanad" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  9. "David Norris hits out at lack of racial diversity in Seanad". Irish Examiner. 29 June 2020. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  10. Coyne, Ellen (29 August 2020). "Senator Eileen Flynn told she was 'token seat' by a male politician in her first week". Irish Independent. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  11. D'Arcy, Naoise (16 November 2020). "Eileen Flynn's Journey to the Seanad is Like No Other". universitytimes.ie. Retrieved 22 January 2021.
  12. Hurley, Sandra (19 November 2020). "Senator Eileen Flynn elected chair Oireachtas committee on Traveller community issues". RTÉ News. Retrieved 22 January 2020.
  13. "BBC 100 Women 2020: Who is on the list this year?". BBC News. 2020-11-23. Retrieved 2020-11-23.
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