Fine Gael convention selects Farrell and Reilly

FINE Gael sprung no surprises last week when it selected its two candidates to contest the next general election in the new constituency of Dublin Fingal.

Dr James Reilly and Alan Farrell were selected at the convention held in the Grand Hotel Malahide last Wednesday night (June 10).

Both are sitting TDs in Dublin North (current name of the constituency) and will be bidding to take two of the five available seats.

Dr Reilly, a former Minister for Health, was made Minister for Children and Youth Affairs in a Cabinet reshuffle last summer, while Deputy Farrell was elected to the Dail for the first time in 2011.

Speaking following his selection, Deputy Farrell said in Government Fine Gael

“has firmly put our economy on the road to recovery

?.

“However, much work remains to be done to ensure our recovery is secured,

? he said.

“This Government has worked diligently to facilitate job creation and reduce unemployment levels. We set a target of creating 100,000 jobs by 2016.

“Not only have we achieved this ambitious target ahead of schedule, but we are aiming higher by endeavouring to create a further 40,000 jobs during the remainder of this Government’s term in office.

“We can see how policies such as the Action Plan for Jobs have benefitted local communities in Dublin Fingal when examining the live register figures in each local welfare office in the constituency.

?

According to Deputy Farrell, between July 2012 and today, live register figures have reduced by 26.8 per cent in the Balbriggan Local Electoral Area (LEA), by 34.3 per cent in the Swords, Donabate and Malahide areas, and by 27 per cent in Portmarnock.

“I am delighted to have been nominated by Fine Gael members in Dublin Fingal to contest the forthcoming general election, with my running mate, Minister James Reilly TD,

? he added.

“Having continuously engaged with constituents in the north county on their doorsteps over the last 11 years (Deputy Farrell was previously a Fingal county councillor), I look forward to continuing my energetic campaign over the coming months.

?