Former Progressive Democrats TD Mae Sexton is to join the Labour Party, it was confirmed today.
Ms Sexton, an Independent councillor in Longford, is expected to contest the next general election in the Longford-Westmeath constituency alongside sitting Labour deputy Willie Penrose.
She lost her Dáil seat in 2007 after serving a single term. A spokeswoman for the Labour Party said Ms Sexton’s time as a PD TD between 2002 and 2007 was “a different era”.
In a statement today, Labour leader Eamon Gilmore said Ms Sexton’s decision was a “significant development” for the party.
Mr Gilmore described Ms Sexton as an effective and energetic representative during her five-year tenure in the Dail serving Co Longford. “She has been involved in local politics since 1991 and has had a long and impressive track record as a campaigner on a range of community issues in Longford," he said.
Ms Sexton said she was flattered to have been chosen by Labour, and added that she looked forward to helping Mr Gilmore become the Taoiseach.
She said the situation had changed very dramatically since she was elected as a PD TD in 2002, and claimed different circumstances and different problems required a different set of responses.
“His [Eamon Gilmore] courage in saying what needs to be said in a clear and determined way gives me a sense of hope and the prospect of the change necessary to restore the confidence of the people of Ireland who are crying out for leadership, fairness, transparency and direction from the political system,” Ms Sexton said.
Former Independent TD for Mayo Dr Jerry Cowley’s move to Labour was announced at the party’s conference last weekend.