ALL the main
contenders for the Dublin West by-election have now been selected following the
success of Cllr Eithne Loftus at last week’s Fine Gael selection convention.
Cllr Loftus beat
fellow nominee Cllr Kieran Dennison in the race to represent the main
Government party at the convention held in Castleknock Hotel last Tuesday
night.
A long standing
party member and activist, she was co-opted onto Fingal County Council in 2007,
filling the seat formerly held by Minister Leo Varadkar.
She stood for
election to the council in 2009 and retained the seat with over 3,000 first
preference votes. Originally from Co Mayo, Cllr Loftus is currently a member of
Fingal County Council’s transportation and environment strategic policy
committees and has lived most of her life in Castleknock, where the late Brian
Lenihan was based.
“I am extremely
proud to represent Fine Gael in this by-election. It represents the fulfilment
of a lifelong ambition,
? she said following her selection.
“I have always
worked hard to deliver good quality services to the people of Dublin West. If
elected a TD, I will continue to work with Minister Leo Varadkar and my other
Fine Gael colleagues, Cllr Kieran Dennison and Presidential candidate Gay
Mitchell MEP to ensure the best possible representation for the people of
Dublin West, locally, nationally and in Europe.
?
Despite Fine Gael
faring well in national polls, Cllr Loftus faces a tough battle to gain a second
seat for her party in a constituency which traditionally leans towards the
left.
Labour are the
current favourites with bookmakers Paddy Power and Deputy Mayor of Fingal,
Patrick Nulty, believes he can take the seat after polling well in the general
election earlier this year.
“I believe that
this will be a very competitive election but I believe that the track record of
Labour in Dublin West is one to be proud of,
? the 28-year-old who works for a
housing and homeless charity said.
“If elected I will
immediately set about campaigning on the issues that matter to this community,
job creation, a sustainable plan for the development of Connolly Hospital and
decent public transport.
?
The Socialist
Party are joint second favourites with Fine Gael and their representative, Cllr
Ruth Coppinger, has promised to live on the equivalent of the average
industrial wage and donate the balance of her salary to left wing campaigns if
elected.
A parent living in
Mulhuddart, she’s been a councillor on Fingal County Council since 2003 and is
an active member of teachers’ union, ASTI.
“The ordinary
working people, pensioners, the unemployed and young people will ask themselves
what point there is in sending yet another government TD into the Dáil to join
the 113 Fine Gael and Labour members who are already there and voting for the
disastrous policies begun by Fianna Fáil,
? she said.
The candidate
charged by Fianna Fail to fill the vacancy left by the sad passing of Brian
Lenihan is Cllr David McGuinness, who received a ringing endorsement from party
leader, Micheál Martin following his selection.
“David is a young,
sincere and committed representative, who will make an extremely strong
candidate,
? he said.
“Brian Lenihan and
Fianna Fáil have a proud record in the service of the people of Dublin West. We
are fighting to win this seat and continue that service.
?
Cllr McGuinness,
who beat off competition from four other nominees to secure the party
nomination, is looking forward to the election challenge.
“I am in politics
because I want to make my community a better place to live,
? he said.
The Greens have
selected party stalwart, Roderic O’Gorman, to contest the election. The
Griffith College lecturer believes he has the skills and knowledge to
contribute to the current debate about Ireland’s relationship with Europe
having recently completed a PhD in EU Law.
“With the current
Government focused on short term crisis management, I see the need for a longer
term vision for our country,
? he said.
Sinn Féin will be
represented by 42-year-old party activist Paul Donnelly in the by-election,
which he described as an opportunity for locals to give their verdict on the
FG/Lab coalition Government.
“It’s hard to
believe that this time last year both of these parties were castigating Fianna
Fáil policy from the opposition benches, and now, 12 months on, they are
implementing it.,
? he said.
“I’m looking
forward to delivering the republican alternative to the people on the
door-steps over these next few weeks. It’s all to play for.
?