17 September 1997
Tom Kelly reports
Frank Chambers has received the call!
The popular Newport auctioneer and publican got a phone call he will never forget on Friday morning. He was informed by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern that he had been selected as one of his nominees for the Senate.
The news came out of the blue for the Mayo County Councillor who had missed out on winning a seat in last month's elections.
His selection represented a surprise in Mayo political circles where former Westport Dail Deputy Seamus Hughes was expected to receive the nod. Senator Chambers will be the first Newport man to hold such high office since Mr. Michael Kilroy held a Dail seat back in the thirties.
He said: "I am honoured and privileged to be selected by Mr. Ahern and I will intend to justify faith he has placed in me."
Senator Chambers said he would use his new position to campaign for local issues at every opportunity. One of his priorities was the establishment of a second level education facility in Newport. He would also seek the re-opening of the local seaweed processing plant, Ara Mhara Teo.
Senator Chambers first came into public life when he was elected to Mayo County Council in 1976. He successfully retained his seat in a number of local elections since then, and served as a director of Ireland-West Tourism.
A former chairman of Mayo Arts Advisory Committee, Senator Chambers has a deep interest in traditional music and culture. He is a strong campaigner for the development of natural resources in West Mayo.
He is a very popular and respected figure within the Fianna Fail party, and has served as a member of the organisation's Committee of Fifteen since 1985.
An affable and down-to-earth personality, his senate nomination is seen as a reward for his service to the party over a long period.
There were special celebration in his native Newport to make his achievement, and the Senator was reported to have sung a song or two!
