Ciaran Cannon is a former Leader of the Progressive Democrats.

He was elected to Galway County Council in June 2004, to represent the Loughrea Electoral Area.

Later he was selected by the party to contest the General Election, standing in Galway East.

Following the 2007 General Election he was nominated to Seanad Eireann by An Taoiseach.

He has worked in planning administration and as CEO of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust, a national charity caring for children and young people with disabilities.

Ciaran has also been:

Chairperson, Carrabane Community Council
Member of B.O.M., Carrabane N.S.
Scout Leader, Carrabane Scout Unit
Chosen as one of the Galway People of the Year in March, 2002

He has a strong interest in rural planning and has been instrumental in ensuring many improvements at a local level in the Loughrea electoral area.

"I am very excited about this new start after joining the Fine Gael Party. With the PDs winding up as a Party I had a tough decision to make about my own political future and how best to continue representing the people of East Galway. I was flattered by the approaches made by a number of sources but am very happy that the Fine Gael Party led by Enda Kenny is the right option for me. The way Enda has managed to rebuild the Party after the 2002 Election and bring forward a strong new team was central to my decision to join Fine Gael.

"I have been particularly impressed with the Party's very positive and constructive approach to the current economic crisis the country is facing and note the very progressive policies announced recently on Oireachtas Reform, Education Reform and job creation. My primary task now is to get to work with my new colleagues and continue to represent the people of East Galway as effectively as I possibly can."