Edenderry Fine Gael duo declare Dáil ambition
THE race has begun for Deputy Olwyn Enright's seat with three candidates declaring their intention to run in Offaly and three more in Laois.
Less than a week after Deputy Enright's announcement that she would not be seeking re-election when the next General Election is called, two candidates in the north of the county and one in the west have already laid their cards firmly on the table.
In Edenderry Cllr Liam Quinn and Cllr Nichola Hogan have both declared their intention to seek the party's nomination. Meanwhile in Ferbane Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, who lost her seat during the last local elections has also thrown her hat into the ring.
To date no other candidates have publicly declared their intentions although names such as Gary and Rory Hannify and Brian Whelahan in the south of the county and Molly Buckley and Tommy McKeigue in Tullamore are being touted.
Cllr Buckley refused to rule herself out, while at the same time not declaring her intention to run. She twice contested general elections, in 2002 for the Independent Health Alliance and in 2007 for Fine Gael but was unsuccessful.
Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy was elected to Offaly County Council in 1999 and 2004, before losing her seat in 2009.
Councillor Liam Quinn who is based in the Edenderry Electoral Area said he believed the time was right for a young candidate to stand in this constituency.
Over the last number of years he has served as National Vice President of Young Fine Gael and as a member of the party's Executive Council. He was elected to Offaly County Council in June 2009 and is one of the youngest elected representatives in the country.
"It is clear that there is an enormous level of apathy towards politics in Ireland at this time. The electorate is not content with the status quo and the onus falls on Fine Gael to present a fresh candidate to reinforce the party's' message of change. I am acutely aware of the problems facing the people of Laois/Offaly and in particular the problems currently being caused by rising unemployment," Cllr Quinn stated.
He said it is vital that candidates be selected at the earliest convenience to allow them the maximum time possible to prepare for the next election.
Cllr Nichola Hogan, a barrister from Edenderry, was elected on her first attempt to Offaly County Council in the 2009 local elections. Since being elected to Offaly County Council as a representative of the Edenderry District, she has opened a Constituency office at Fr McWey Street, Edenderry, something which she believes makes her more easily accessible to the people she represents.
She said concern for the residents of her town and county has motivated her to seek the party nomination for the next general election. "We have to secure Dail representation for an area which has been without a TD for the last 13 years," she said.
Councillor Hogan feels very strongly that North Offaly has suffered dreadfully in many key areas under the current Fianna Fail Government, very little progress has been made on the Edenderry Enfield road, still no permanent ambulance bay and still no 24 hour Garda Station, not to mention the job situation.
"For all these reasons. I have decided to seek the party nomination to contest the next election. North Offaly needs a TD; someone who truly understands the issues facing us in the years to come," said Cllr Hogan.
Meanwhile in Laois three candidates have also declared their intentions. Cllrs Wille Aird and James Daly, and Paddy Buggy, who failed to be elected during the last local elections have all said they intend to seek the party's nomination.
Cllr Willie Aird ran for the Seanad in 1997, but was unsuccessful. Two years later he was elected to Laois County Council and has retained his seat in each election since.
Cllr James Daly, also elected in 1999, also made a failed bid for the Seanad in 2007. He has also retained his seat since first elected.
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said the party would not be going after the seat. Speaking last week Mr Cowen said the party's focus would be on the retention of existing seats, and not the expansion of them. "FF have three seats in the constituency, we'd be hoping to maintain those three seats," said Mr Cowen.
He paid tribute to his constituency colleague Olwyn Enright and wished her all the best.
"On a personal level I want to wish Olwyn and Joe and their family well for the future. She's been a good colleague to work with and I've enjoyed a very good relationship with her in terms of representing the people of this constituency," said Mr Cowen.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Weather for Tullamore
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to -0 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet showers
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
