Seán Canney hails from a family farm in Belclare, Tuam, County Galway. He is married to Geraldine McHugh from Caherlistrane, and they have three children, Kenneth, Shane, and the late David.
In January 2025, Seán was appointed Minister of State at the Department of Transport with responsibility for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rails, and Ports. He is also Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers.
A quantity surveyor by profession, Seán worked in the private sector for 25 years before entering politics. Prior to his election to Dáil Éireann in 2016, he lectured in Construction Economics and Quantity Surveying at Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT) – now Atlantic Technological University – for over nine years.
A long-time community activist, Seán serves as Public Relations Officer for the Belclare/Sylane Community Council and previously chaired the council during the development of the Community Sports Facility in Belclare. A member of Corofin GAA, he also served as Assistant Secretary for several years.
Seán was first elected to Galway County Council in 2004, and re-elected in 2009 and 2014. He served as Mayor of County Galway from 2007 to 2008. During his time as a county councillor, he was a member of the Planning and Development SPC and Vice Chairperson of the Inter County Rail Committee.
Following his election as TD for Galway East, Seán was appointed Minister of State for the Office of Public Works and Flood Relief. He also served as Assistant Chief Whip and was a member of the Council of Europe.
In October 2018, the Taoiseach appointed Seán as Minister of State in the Department of Rural and Community Development and the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, with special responsibility for Community Development, Natural Resources, and Digital Development.
As Minister, Seán chaired the Atlantic Economic Corridor Task Force, the National Advisory Council to Government for Online Safety, and the Mobile Phone and Broadband Task Force Implementation Group.