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Sharon Keogan tops the poll in Seanad count of Industrial and Commercial panel

She is the first to be elected to the panel, which has nine remaining seats to be filled.

CONTROVERSIAL SENATOR SHARON Keogan has topped the poll and has been deemed elected to the Industrial and Commercial panel of the Seanad. 

She is the first to be elected to the panel, which has nine remaining seats to be filled. 

The Independent senator has been a member of the vocational panel of Seanad Éireann since 2020. She was nominated for re-election by Independent TDs Gillian Toole, Mattie McGrath, Verona Murphy, and Barry Heneghan.

Heneghan’s nomination of Keogan earned him backlash, as one of the self-proclaimed “left-wing” TD’s priorities was to work to support the LGBTQ community.

Keogan had previously been criticised for claiming governments across the world are enabling an “organised” LGBTQ+ “takeover” of society.

Heneghan defended his nomination of the senator, whom he said had helped him while he was a councillor previously.

The count for the Industrial and Commercial panel follows the completion of the count for the Labour panel. 

Former Fianna Fáil junior minister Anne Rabbitte lost out on a seat on the Labour panel, where former Sinn Féin TD Chris Andrews won a seat. 

Other TDs that have recently moved from the Dáil to the Seanad include Sinn Féin’s Pauline Tully, who was elected to the Seanad on the Cultural and Educational panel. She was the first former TD who has now taken a seat in the Seanad. 

Former Green Party TD Malcolm Noonan topped the poll on the Agriculture panel, exceeding the quota by over 11,000 votes.

The Industrial panel is the penultimate one to be counted, with the Administrative panel remaining. 

49 Seanad seats are voted on across the constituencies and panels while another 11 seats will be filled by people nominated by the Taoiseach.

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    Mute cup of tea
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 4:35 PM

    Good news. Sharon is a a rock of common sense.

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    Mute F1rYnpWc
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 4:51 PM

    @cup of tea: common sense depends on biases, it is not always conscientious. Slavery, segregation and discrimination were once common sense.

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    Mute Jacintha Dumbrell
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 4:55 PM

    @F1rYnpWc: I think what cup of tea meant was she speaks the language of racists and bigots.

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    Mute Johnny Wilson
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 4:56 PM

    @cup of tea: she’s an odious individual

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    Mute Laurence Keogh
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 4:59 PM

    @cup of tea: Brilliant news

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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 5:24 PM

    @cup of tea: Yes, because claiming there’s an LGBTQ takeover of the world makes total sense

    35
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    Mute Dermot Blaine
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 5:42 PM

    @Tired Jim: I have one account Jim. I have 2 questions for you.
    Why do you look like you are pleasuring yourself in your photo?
    How many journal accounts have you got now?

    104
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    Mute Jacintha Dumbrell
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 6:02 PM

    @Chairman Chu: I would if anyone was allowed in by your genocide pals.

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    Mute Emer McDonnell
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 7:47 PM

    @Jacintha Dumbrell: how’s that?….or is it more of anyone who doesn’t agree with my views is a racist or bigot….how very tolerant of you!

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    Mute Dan Murphy
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 7:48 PM

    @Jacintha Dumbrell:
    That’s slander.I Hope she sues you.

    10
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    Mute David Cotter
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 8:34 PM

    @Dermot Blaine: it’s not him. It’s a goat

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    Mute and the hit's just keep coming
    Favourite and the hit's just keep coming
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 9:40 PM

    @F1rYnpWc: ahh the good old day’s….. happy time’s… happy time’s

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    Mute stella Ormes
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 11:36 AM

    @Harry Paisley: You mean kill off the remaining citizens?

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 1:36 PM

    @Tired Jim: How many do you have?

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    Mute William Jennings
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 5:15 PM

    Sharon is a very fine Senator and I’m glad to see her getting re-elected. She’s one of the only voices calling out the Alphabet Mob for their undue influence on Irish society and their aggressive attempts to change our values and showed great leadership alongside Michael McDowell in helping to defeat the government’s farcical referendums last year. I also admire her pro-life views and standing up for the rule of law against illegal immigrants trying to skip the line and enter this country without proper background checks. If only people of her integrity and calibre were in the Dáil, her talents are wasted in the Seanad.

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    Mute Johnny Wilson
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 6:02 PM

    @William Jennings: as stated already an odious individual and a social dinosaur

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    Mute Sheila McNulty
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 6:16 PM

    @Johnny Wilson: think its U that the Odious one

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    Mute William Jennings
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 6:25 PM

    @Housing Hunger Games: I wasn’t aware that you could engage in mind reading. I didn’t vote for any of the nativist parties like the National Party because they support zero immigration just like I didn’t vote for any of the left-wing parties like the Green Party because I don’t support open borders. I support immigration as long as it’s done legally, something which you seem to oppose and want to allow lawbreakers to skip the queue. The only reason why the illusion of progressivism exists in Ireland is because every party that sits in the Dáil is either centre-left, left-wing or far-left, even though the tide is turning globally. Tell me this, when you support “women’s rights”, does that allow include a female baby’s right to live or are you simply a subjective hypocrite?

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    Mute William Jennings
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 6:30 PM

    @Housing Hunger Games: Calling people you don’t agree with “bigots” is not very “tolerant” of you now, is it? There is still 35% of the population which holds common sense values and wants common sense policies. Every other European country has a proper and professional right-wing party that doesn’t devolve into crass vulgarity like the minor nativist parties do here. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have always been in power here and when you have two centre-left parties in government got so long, you’re going to get a multitude of progressive policies which harm the country and its identity. Every right-wing party in Europe saw gains and if the Irish people had the option of voting for it here, your left-wing cosmopolitan mindset would definitely get a rude awakening.

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    Mute Emer McDonnell
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 7:45 PM

    @Housing Hunger Games: please don’t include me in your ‘our’ you might be speaking for yourself but don’t assume everyone shares your views or opinions…btw your name calling & insults at those with different views are both tiresome & immature!

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    Mute FoxyBoiiYT
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 8:25 PM

    @William Jennings: Awww someone asked you to stop hating the gays and you hate that. So full of hate really

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    Mute Emer McDonnell
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 9:02 PM

    @Housing Hunger Games: I don’t need a lecture…as I have asked what are her ‘bigoted’ views…or is it the fact she doesn’t bow down to your views…?

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    Mute William Jennings
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 9:15 PM

    @Housing Hunger Games: It’s crazy how much nonsense one individual can come out with. It’s pretty simple – if you try to enter this country without following the proper process, you are an illegal immigrant. Saying there’s no such thing as an illegal immigrant is like saying there’s no such thing as a burglar, just an unauthorised houseguest. Laws exist for a reason, and pretending otherwise doesn’t change reality. You can reject the term all you want, but that won’t make illegal entry into a country magically legal. Claiming “asylum” is not excuse and everyone should have to wait in line until their immigration application is approved. It’s not fair on all the people who went through the proper process. Also, “bigotry” is a completely subjective term based on your political beliefs.

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    Mute Brian Hunt
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 9:19 PM

    @Housing Hunger Games: Gob$hite!

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    Mute William Jennings
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 9:30 PM

    @FoxyBoiiYT: Disagreeing with someone’s demands is not the same as hating them. If opposition to redefining marriage is ‘hatred,’ then by that logic, every society in human history up until about 15 years ago was driven by hatred. I support marriage between one man and one woman, a position that every politician held up until 15 years ago. I oppose LGBT indoctrination in schools because schools should not be sucking up to a group of people which make up 5% of the population. Schools exist to educate, not to indoctrinate. Parents, not activists masquerading as teachers, should decide how and when their children learn about sensitive topics. It’s a bit rich of you to be calling people full of hate when you’re incessantly spreading vitriolic antisemitic conspiracy theories on this news site.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 1:43 PM

    @William Jennings: Sadly she represents a part of Irish society that has never gotten off their knees.
    Her position o the LGBGTQA+ situation is 40 years out of date.
    Her knowledge of inclusion and equality could be written on the back of a stamp!
    Inclusion and equality is not just the LGBGTQA+ issue. It is so much bigger than that!
    Read the history of the Holocaust and learn who was chosen. Especially who they practised on, to fine tune “The Final Solution”. Then you might understand why politicians sprouting angry comments on minorities is dangerous!

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 1:45 PM

    @William Jennings: You have no idea what the left is in politics! Seriously.
    Calling FG left wing, the Irish Tories!

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 1:48 PM

    @William Jennings: FG are considerably right of center, while FF would be center right.
    Look at the groups they are part of in Europe.
    If proper right wing groups like they have in Germany and France are your hero’s.
    Then when people call you out for your far right view they are totally correct!

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    Mute Dan Murphy
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 6:23 PM

    @Housing Hunger Games:
    Where do clowns like you come from.

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    Mute Dan Murphy
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 6:24 PM

    @Housing Hunger Games: Where were you educated? The Dumb Dumb collage for thickos

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    Mute Dan Murphy
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 6:29 PM

    @Johnny Wilson:
    Your Ma

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    Mute Dan Murphy
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 6:31 PM

    @Sheila McNulty:
    No, it’s his Ma.

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    Mute William Jennings
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 7:40 PM

    @Gary Kearney: Gary, it’s called having a bit of moral judgement. Your comment is precisely why it’s good to hold these beliefs. No, there is no such thing as all those extra gibberish letters that you listed and there are only two sexes – it’s a biological fact. Oh I know about the Holocaust and the fact that it is the far-left that you support that is now fostering the plague of antisemitism throughout the world now. Also, comparing being opposed to illegal immigration and LGBT indoctrination to the Holocaust is so disgusting and deliberately trivialises the cruelty that caused 6 million Jewish people to perish. No, you’re not a victim if you are told to wait in line in order to immigrate legally to this country or if you’re told you can’t direct inappropriate remarks towards young kids.

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    Mute William Jennings
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 10:05 PM

    @Gary Kearney: You also keep repeating this myth Gary because you are so far-left yourself. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil are centre-left parties. They push for centre-left policies and have centre-left manifestos. I have already gone through all their policies step by step for you on previous articles but you still refuse to listen. Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have not passed a single piece of right-leaning legislation in 20 years. The National Rally and Brothers of Italy are led by two centrists in Le Pen and Meloni and their economic policy is far too left-leaning for my liking (pro-tariffs, pro-pension increases, pro-windfall taxes, pro-nationalisation of industries, pro-protectionism, pro-welfare payment increases). They are in no way my “heroes” and I strive for real free-market parties.

    1
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    Mute Dere
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 4:39 PM

    Was one of the few to speak out in the ransacking of taxpayers money during covid.

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    Mute Tony
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 4:54 PM

    @Dere: So she’ll happily take tax payers money for the next 5 years doing literally nothing. Yea, she really is against people living it large on tax funds.

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    Mute Jacintha Dumbrell
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 4:56 PM

    @Dere: Populists normally do, they know their followers are easily led fools.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 1:50 PM

    @Dere: She does love a headline, that is true.
    We had a national emergency, so drastic action was required.
    What would she do, holy water and a decade of the rosary!

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    Mute Dan Murphy
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 6:27 PM

    @Jacintha Dumbrell:
    You know all about that, Dum bass.

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    Mute JP
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 5:13 PM

    Puerile commentators just home from their crèches here. A hardworking woman rewarded. No need for gender quotas with people like her.

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    Mute Tony
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 4:53 PM

    Such a joke of a thing. Loads of losers who didn’t get elected get gifted a cushy well paid job off the back of tax payers.

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    Mute Brian D'Arcy
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 5:14 PM
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    Mute John Paul Long
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 6:35 PM

    @Tired Jim: The signature “LOL”

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    Mute james rowan
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 7:25 PM

    @John Paul Long: doe, trump24,so many fake accounts he has,mute him then report him,,,

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    Mute Franno
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 3:59 AM

    @Harry Paisley: tut tut, you forgot to switch back accounts Harry/Jim/Doe/chute. You’re so transparent.

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 1:53 PM

    @Tired Jim: Proving a point he made is shown to be correct by sharing that article!

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    Mute Jacintha Dumbrell
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 4:54 PM

    She seems to appeal to reactionary bigots who bully vulnerable minorities for some reason. Let’s hope she doesn’t call for micro-chipping children again.

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    Mute F1rYnpWc
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 4:35 PM

    Respectfully, is that a man or a woman?

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    Mute Matt D
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 4:43 PM

    @F1rYnpWc: bigot.

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    Mute Johnny Wilson
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 6:03 PM

    @F1rYnpWc: or even human ?

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    Mute Patrice Ahern
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 6:25 PM

    Regarding the utter thuggery going on in Limk, why do the police, army, town hall & the useless, expensive legal system not come down on such terrorists and hound them into oblivion? Try evading the payment of a parking ticket, when you have not put anyone’s life in danger, & you’ll see what they (the authorities) can & do do.

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    Mute Big Haus
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 9:20 PM

    Only Senator I know who goes out on a Saturday morning with the local teenagers in the pis sing rain litter picking

    13
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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 1:52 PM

    @Big Haus: So you obviously don’t know many senators then.

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    Mute Dan Murphy
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 7:56 PM

    Great to see an educated person elected, instead of moroni c lefty snollygosters

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    Mute AnthonyK
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 11:35 PM

    Why controversial? She is elected, which means she has won the vote. When democracy behaves as if those who have been elected do not deserve to be, then democracy is dead and the rise se of a Caesar type is not far off.

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    Mute Ian
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 5:53 PM

    Spouts quackery. It’s utterly exhausting.

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    Mute Tony White
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    Feb 2nd 2025, 10:39 PM

    For f sake,

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    Mute Gary Kearney
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    Feb 3rd 2025, 1:59 PM

    She can be very entertaining is fairness. She sprouts some absolute balderdash but really puts passion into it.
    An expression that cones to mind is “way with the fairies”.
    Herself and Ronan trying to keep us under church control!

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