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A FINE GAEL TD has played down speculation he might run in the European elections next year although he has not ruled out standing for the party if a vacancy arises.
John O’Mahony, one of four Fine Gael TDs in Taoiseach Enda Kenny’s Mayo stronghold, was responding to a report in the Irish Independent today that he is being considered to replace the party’s North West MEP Jim Higgins in next year’s European elections.
“It’s like this: there is a sitting MEP in the north-west at the minute and I have always made it clear I am a close colleague [of Higgins]. I’m not in the business of trying to oust anyone. If it was a vacancy it would be a different thing,” O’Mahony told TheJournal.ie today.
However Higgins insisted to this website this evening that he is confident of retaining the seat for the party.
“I can tell you that from the start of the speculation I have had huge, huge support. I represent 11 counties and I work those counties to the bone, [the] grassroots support is huge.”
Higgins, who has held the North West EU seat since 2004, said he would be confident of winning the party’s nomination at any local convention in the coming months and even insisted: “I am racing certainty to get the nomination.”
The rationale for selecting O’Mahony lies in the fact that Fine Gael is unlikely to retain its four TDs in a redrawn Mayo constituency at the next general election with the five-seater reduced to four. However his Dáil departure would mean a tricky by-election contest for the government.
Higgins suggested that O’Mahony, who won two All Ireland Senior Football titles with Galway, could potentially run for the Dáil in Galway West at the next election where he has name recognition: “His profile in Galway is very high.”
O’Mahony added that he was at the service of the party hierarchy and pointed out that he ran for the Dáil because Fine Gael asked him to.
“I didn’t look to run when I became a TD, the party asked me. The Fine Gael headquarters would have a say, Jim Higgins would have a say [on him running for the European seat].”
“I have served the party in many ways over the years and I would continue to do that. But the constituencies haven’t been drawn up yet… that’s where it’s at at the moment.”
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“I have served the party …”
Great, so what have you done for your COUNTRY?
Typical.
Sounds like they are ensuring jobs for the boys.
Thinking of starting a FB page called ” committee to unelect. the cabinet ” the idea being to select four of five members of the cabinet who have been poor or arrogant. Then actively campaign to their constituents and ask them to switch their vote away from the sitting Minister. If you managed to get rid of one or two this means the next ones will be far more aware they should represent voters rather then special interest groups. Any thoughts ?
Excellent idea
Not a very original idea! Is this not what candidates try to do to each other at every general election?
There is not a hope of a FG getting elected again for anything on paper, that would make us some bunch of gullible dummies to vote for those traitors after the shinnigans this time around. What’s this mug going to do join labours Joe Costellos unelected wife on a big salary shafting us is it?
Saw two pri*ks digging a bigger hole so won’t even bother reading.
Any chance we could elect someone with an actual brain?
These 2 are clueless as to how the banking dynasties are raping our country.
I say a mandatory IQ test with >110 to sign documents that affects the population.
This is his reward for sticking with Kenny on the x case legislation.
Show me the money! (the new FG slogan)
Hah! Another FG thick! I hope the voters have better sense!
How does Edna keep all these little lads on his lap,yap yap yap yap,off to Europe with whichever shmoo it will be,so they can pretend to represent us there too.
Cute huor politics again as this “politician” with a mind on redrawing of the constituency his stronghold of east mayo moves to Galway… An anonymous politician in Mayo his running in the euro elections would give him exposure in Galway.
Assuming his almost guaranteed failing in his efforts of being elected a
M.E.P for Clare/connaught/Ulster, in F.G,s delusional thinking this would be a perfect platform for his entry into running in this new constituency….
good and take kenny with you
have your say