Tom Hayes TD New FG Chairman
Tom Hayes TD New FG Chairman
Fine Gael has elected the South Tipperary TD, Tom Hayes, as the new Chairman of the parliamentary party.
Deputy Hayes defeated the outgoing Chairman, Padraic McCormack, from Galway East in a ballot of party TDs and Senators in Leinster House today.
Senator Sheila Terry is the new vice-chairperson, while Meath TD, Damien English, is the new Secretary of the parliamentary party.
Deputy Hayes has been a TD since his victory in the South Tipperary by-election last year. He had previously been a Senator.
Meanwhile, tributes have been paid to the former Fine Gael TD for Tipperary North, David Molony, who died yesterday.
Mr Molony, who was 52, was a Senator from 1977 to 1981 and a Dáil Deputy from 1981 to 1987, when he did not seek re-election.
The Fine Gael leader, Enda Kenny, said Mr Molony, a solicitor, had represented his constituents with distinction and was noted as a superb legislator and parliamentarian.
Mr Molony is survived by his wife Eve and his sons Patrick and Conor.
