Pádraic McCormack

Who is Pádraic McCormack?

Pádraic McCormack is a former Irish Fine Gael politician, who served as a Teachta Dála for the Galway West constituency from 1989 to 2011, and as a Senator from 1987 to 1989.

McCormack is a native of Kenagh, County Longford, and was educated at St. Mel's College, Longford. He was elected to Seanad Éireann in 1987 by the Agricultural Panel and is also a former member of Galway County Council. He was first elected to the Dáil at the 1989 general election and was re-elected at each subsequent election until his retirement in 2011. Prior to entering politics, he worked as a livestock auctioneer. He was Mayor of Galway from 1992–1993. He was Fine Gael deputy spokesman on the environment and local government, with special responsibility for urban renewal and housing policy in the 29th Dáil.

In April 2006, he announced his intention not to seek re-election at the forthcoming general election. However, in December 2006, after the withdrawal of Brian Walsh, the candidate originally selected by Fine Gael to replace him, McCormack announced that he had reconsidered his decision and would after all stand in the general election. He did stand, and in May 2007 he was re-elected on the twelfth of 13 counts, taking the third of Galway West's five seats.