Derek Byrne – Academic and Media Professional

Biography

As a Media Professional and Academic living and working in Dublin I play an active role in the social narrative of modern Ireland.

I am a three times graduate of Trinity College Dublin having graduated in 2000 with an M.Phil in Ethnic and Racial Studies, in 2008 with an M.Sc in Drug and Alcohol Policy and in January 2020 with a Post-graduate Certificate in Creative Thinking, Innovation and Entreprenuership.

I completed my primary honours degree in Humanities at St. Patrick’s DCU in 2008 during which I won a scholarship to Oxford University to study the Victorian Novel and British Politics and Society.

Today, I focus on my work in media and academia. I lecture in Addiction Studies at Maynooth University and guest lecture at TUD and TCD. I am a regular contributor to the Opinion page of the Irish Times where my provocative and sometimes controversial articles see me appear regularly on national radio and television.

Manifesto for Seanad Éireann

Ireland stands at a crossroads, where experience must meet innovation to shape a future that is fair, inclusive, and prosperous for all. The Seanad is the perfect place to drive this vision—a chamber designed to ensure thoughtful debate, provide rigorous oversight of legislation, and champion the issues that demand long-term thinking.

I am running for the Seanad because it is where my heart lies. With over 40 years of campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights and a lifetime of experience in journalism and public service, I bring a commitment to justice and a proven track record of standing up for what’s right, even when it’s contentious. At the same time, I bring fresh ideas and a common-sense approach to tackling Ireland’s challenges, ensuring that the Seanad continues to be a force for positive change.

The Seanad’s role as a watchdog over the Dáil is vital, ensuring that every piece of legislation is rigorously scrutinized to serve the people of Ireland. I will work to guarantee that every bill is fit for a modern Ireland—one that values fairness, equality, and opportunity for all.Ireland stands at a crossroads, where experience must meet innovation to shape a future that is fair, inclusive, and prosperous for all. The Seanad is the perfect place to drive this vision—a chamber designed to ensure thoughtful debate, provide rigorous oversight of legislation, and champion the issues that demand long-term thinking.

I am running for the Seanad because it is where my heart lies. With over 40 years of campaigning for LGBTQ+ rights and a lifetime of experience in journalism and public service, I bring a commitment to justice and a proven track record of standing up for what’s right, even when it’s contentious. At the same time, I bring fresh ideas and a common-sense approach to tackling Ireland’s challenges, ensuring that the Seanad continues to be a force for positive change.

The Seanad’s role as a watchdog over the Dáil is vital, ensuring that every piece of legislation is rigorously scrutinized to serve the people of Ireland. I will work to guarantee that every bill is fit for a modern Ireland—one that values fairness, equality, and opportunity for all.