O’Reilly and Humphries on ticket for FG

Martin Shannon Senator Joe O'Reilly and Clones area councillor Heather Humphries were selected as the candidates for Fine Gael to contest the next election at a party convention in the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan last Thursday. However the executive has not ruled out adding further names before canvassing begins. Despite the weather more than 800 of the FG faithful travelled for the proceedings, chaired by Cork Senator Paul Bradford. The night was not only one for selecting the new, and outgoing TD Seymour Crawford got standing ovations before and after he made a short farewell address. He thanked his staff, directors of elections and the party supporters who had elected him and gave him “the honour and privilege to serve you in Dáil Éireannâ€. As the proceedings began, the gathering was informed that Monaghan county councillor Owen Bannigan was withdrawing, leaving seven in the field. It dramatically changed to six within about an hour as Castleblayney town councillor Aiden Campbell was nominated and seconded by Cllr. Gary Carville and Jim Harrison, but after a long speech he too withdrew, to the amazement of the large crowd. So with six in, who were they and who was backing who? Senator Joe O'Reilly was proposed and seconded by Cavan councillors Sean McKiernan and John O'Hare. Sean Conlon was proposed by Carrickmacross councillor Mark Clarke and seconded by Sean McDermott. Cavan councillor Madeline Argue was proposed by former TD Andrew Boylan and seconded by Gene Murphy. Cllr. Heather Humphries was proposed by Ciara McPhilips and seconded by south Monaghan councillor Aiden Murray. West Cavan councillor Peter McVitty was proposed by Joe Dolan and seconded by Cllr. Maura Maguire-Lynch. And, newcomer to the electoral process Michael Moriarity from Monaghan Town was proposed by Emer Conway and seconded by Patrick Gilseanin. All candidates and promoters addressed the gathering, following which the count was to take place. But at that stage the FG whip in County Monaghan Cllr. Hughie McElvaney asked the question that was on everyone's lips: how many candidates were they selecting as many of the five contestants had promoted the idea of a third seat being feasible for the party this time around? Senator Bradford said his remit from FG HQ was the party was to select one from each county, and the executive had the power to add or delete anyone to or from that list. Mr. Bradford also announced that the election would be conducted under the PR system. The voting and counting of votes duly commenced and Senator Bradford later announced that Senator O'Reilly and Cllr Humphries had been selected on the night. Speaking after his selection Senator O'Reilly said: “I am honoured and grateful to those who have selected me as their candidate tonight. I have no illusions about the task ahead to get elected and I will be working right through from now until close of polls. “I feel there is a different atmosphere and confidence in the party this time around – we understand people are in a bad place and they want out of that, they want change and real change and they recognise that Fine Gael can lead them through as they have done so in the past.†Cllr. Humphries was delighted with her selection too: “I'm humbled and honoured by my selection and thank everyone who worked with me and voted for me to achieve the. I am well aware that the work to get elected begins straight away and I look forward to the challenges that will bring. “As a mother I am aware of the pressures families are under. I come from a farming background and am married to a farmer so I know the plight of the farming and rural community. I work as the manager of Cootehill Credit Union so I know the hardship many people find themselves in at the moment and as a businesswoman I'm acutely aware of the affect the banking crisis is having on small and medium enterprises. I'm a hard worker and I will bring that work ethic to both my campaign and to the Dáil should I be chosen by the electorate.†Michael Cryan The Labour party selected Liam Hogan from Butlersbridge to contest the forthcoming general election when the only other nominee Des Cullen withdrew from the race. Although a novice in terms of experience, Liam hopes to build on his showing in the local elections of 2009 when he secured 9.45% first preferences in his first outing. He described his nomination as an opportunity to play in an all-Ireland final. “I may not be the best known player but I hope to put in a performance that will raise a few eyebrows come the election,†he said. Having set up a new business in September, Liam said he had a few loose ends to tidy up in that regard before he commits himself fully to the campaign trail in the new year. “Our membership has tripled in the last 12 months and I hope to achieve something that has never been done before in the history of the state – win a seat in Cavan/Monaghan.†He added that people were coming to believe that Labour offered a real opportunity of changing the face of Irish politics forever. Given that the current government had signed up for the next four budgets, Labour was focusing its efforts on radical constitutional change, which would in turn result in a fundamental reform of political institutions and structures. The idea was introduced by party leader Eamon Gilmore at the last party conference, when he suggested having a look at the constitution introduced in 1937 to ensure it was fit for purpose in 21st century Ireland. In Liam's opinion consideration should be given to the following: no town councils for populations of less than 30,000; halve the number of county councillors and make the rest work full time; and make individuals responsible for certain sections of services delivered (water, health, roads, childcare) and they would be judged at election time: “They would have real power and accountability.†On the Senate, he said Labour would reduce numbers and alter its purpose and function. “I believe all senators should be elected by members of the public and it should not be some type of retirement home for politicians on the way down or some playschool for politicians on the way up.†He believed it has the capacity to facilitate people from all sections of public life who may have the ability to make a difference and offer a contribution to the success of the nation Farmers were working men and his party colleague Sean Sherlock had developed a comprehensive policy for the agri-sector; Labour was reaching out to the farming community in these difficult times and he would fight tooth and nail to protect their livelihood. People are saying to Liam that they were fed up with Fianna Fail and would not voting for them on this occasion. According to Liam, there are going to be a number of places in the country that will witness unexpected results for Labour, like Dr. Moosajee Bhamjee in Clare. According to reliable sources within Fine Gael, there is every likelihood that a third candidate will be added to the list in Cavan/Monaghan. This candidate will target what the party sees as a strong potential vote in the general catchment area of Cavan Town. Chairwoman of County Cavan VEC, Cllr. Madeleine Argue is understood to be the candidate that will be added to the list, which already includes Senator Joe O'Reilly and Monaghan county councillor, Heather Humphries. Party supporters in mid-Monaghan remain optimistic that the party leadership will opt for the selection of Cllr. Sean Conlan. Last week many delegates also expressed support for the selection of Cllr. Conlan, who is seen as a further huge vote-puller. He congratulated the two FG candidates and said: “I was delighted with the high level of support I received, and would like to take this opportunity to thank all those who voted for me. I was struck by the number of young members who attended, which is a good sign of the great vibrancy of Fine Gael in the constituency.†Meanwhile Fianna Fail sources have rubbished an item in one of the national dailies that Minister Brendan Smith would not be seeking re-election to the Dáil. There wasn't any doubt about Minister Smith, he was definitely going forward and would be seeking the nomination at the Fianna Fail constituency convention in the new year. According to Minister Smith's private secretary, Philip Hannon, the minister had already written to the different units of the organisation in the constituency seeking their support at the convention.