By Louise Doyle

CONCERN has emerged over the attendance record of Donegal Senator Niall Blaney.

The Fanad man, who is the Seanad spokesperson on Northern Ireland, Fisheries and the Marine, was re-elected to the Seanad earlier this year.

An article in The Irish Times, ‘Has anyone seen Niall Blaney’ sparked concerns about his lack of presence in the Seanad following the publication of an attendance report in 2024 by the Oireachtas.

From January 1, 2024 to September 30, 2024, Senator Blaney fobbed into the Seanad on 21 occasions, out of a total of 61 days, according to the Member Sitting Days Report.

According to the figures, Senator Blaney did not fob into the Seanad between April to August, 2024.

The report states: “The number of attendances may be altered for attendance reconciliation adjustments before the end of year period. The regulations provide for reconciliation for (1) ill health reasons, (2) attendance by a member abroad in the performance of his/her duties as a member or office holder, or elsewhere in the state on behalf of a committee or (3) extraordinary circumstances which the appropriate authority determines are good and sufficient and could not have been foreseen. Administrative reconcilliations are recorded based on specified evidence of attendance in Leinster House.”

One reader told the Donegal News: “It seems very bizarre that a senator could be missing for the Seanad for five months without explanation.”

We contacted Senator Blaney numerous times by phone and email for a response. He has not yet responded to requests for comment.