O'Rourke celebrates 70th birthday
Newly-elected TD Mary O’Rourke today celebrated her 70th birthday.
The outgoing Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, who lost her seat to constituency rival Donie Cassidy in 2002, will be the oldest female member of the Dáil.
The former teacher was first elected in 1982 and later served as Education Minister and Public Enterprise Minister.
Friends said the mother-of-two displayed the energy of a woman half her age during the General Election campaign.
She was today besieged by visitors and congratulatory telephone calls to her Athlone home.
“I have been getting lots of good wishes about my birthday,” she said.
There will be 22 female TDs in the 30th Dáil – compared to 23 between 2002-2007.
Acting Progressive Democrats leader Mary Harney is the longest-serving female TD – she was first elected for Fianna Fáil in 1981, a year before Mrs O’Rourke.
Ms Harney also served as a Senator between 1977-1982.
She was the youngest ever – at 24 years old – when nominated by former Taoiseach Jack Lynch in 1977.
Mrs O’Rourke will be joined in the Dáil by her nephews, outgoing Ministers of State, Brian and Conor Lenihan.
Outgoing Ceann Comhairle Dr Rory O’Hanlon will be oldest male TD in the Dáil at 73 years old.
