Noel Rock has confirmed his intention to win back his Dáil seat in Dublin North-West.
Rock confirmed on Friday afternoon he wishes to contest the upcoming Fine Gael selection convention in the constituency.
Rock was among Fine Gael’s high-profile casualties in the 2020 general election as the party lost 15 seats nationwide.
Further analysis of the 2020 general election results revealed that Sinn Féin’s Dessie Ellis’ transfers to People Before Profit candidate Conor Reddy were enough to knock Rock out of the race.
Dublin North-West will remain as a 3-seater in the next general election.
First elected in 2016, Rock said “during my time as as a TD, I fought hard to bring positive changes to our community – and I’m ready to continue that work.”
Rock was unsuccessful in a subsequent bid to win a Senate seat in 2020.
“My top priority is to ensure the creation of a Department of Infrastructure to focus on the big projects that Dublin desperately needs, including MetroLink and the extension of the Luas to Finglas which I advocated for throughout my time as a TD.”
Rock’s calls for a Department of Infrastructure follow recent comments from nearby Dublin TD Paschal Donohoe, implying the plan is a major part of Fine Gael’s general election plan.
He said, “we need to focus on the future and on the big picture.”
The Fine Gael man said “the MetroLink will transform how we get around this city – making commuting faster, more reliable, and easing congestion for everyone. And the Luas extension to Finglas is a project I’ve championed because it’s time our part of the city gets the transport links it deserves.”
“I’ve never been afraid to take on the big challenges, and I’ve always been committed to delivering real results for Dublin North West. I want to make sure that people in the area have every possible opportunity in life given to them – and I’m a big believer that urban mobility and social mobility go hand in hand.
“Together, we can build a better, more connected future for our community in Dublin North West. Let’s make it happen.
“So, I’m asking for the support of the Fine Gael members in order to become general election candidate. And then, I hope to ask for your support in the forthcoming election – whenever that may be,” he added.
Should Rock be added to the ballot, he would join incumbent Sinn Féin TD Dessie Ellis and running mate Cathleen Carney Boud, his old foe Conor Reddy, Fianna Fáil’s Paul McAuliffe, housing professor Rory Hearne who is looking to hold onto Róisín Shortall’s seat for the Social Democrats, former Green Party councillor Caroline Conroy and anti-immigrant independent councillor Gavin Pepper.