Fine Gael keeping the lid on possible candidates

FINE Gael has yet to reveal the names of any additional candidates it will run alongside the sitting TDs in the next General Election. While it is anticipated that the party will run at least three candidates, the pool of possible candidates deepened this week as former Mayor Tony Mulcahy expressed his interest in becoming a Fine Gael TD for the county.

Four people put their names forward at the party’s Clare convention held on December 12, Deputy Pat Breen, Deputy Joe Carey, Councillor Martin Conway and former councillor and TD Madeleine Taylor-Quinn. The two sitting deputies were selected unanimously after both Councillor Conway and Ms Taylor-Quinn stepped aside. Afterwards, both perspective candidates told The Clare Champion they expected any additional running mate for the party’s TDs to be picked from those who had put their names before convention as has been the tradition to date.
Former Mayor of Clare Councillor Tony Mulcahy’s entry to the race to be the party’s third candidate has meant that this is by no means a certainty. The Mayor of Shannon confirmed in the days before Christmas, after weeks of speculation from party insiders and carefully-worded responses from the man himself, that he is actively seeking a nomination from the Fine Gael party to contest the next General Election.
Councillor Mulcahy was among four Fine Gael candidates who contested the last General Election in 2007. He secured 3,408 or 6% of first-preference votes.
Mayor Mulcahy said he was seeking “to bring a fresh voice to the Dáil representing the interests and concerns of the people of County Clare”. 
“Following careful consideration and consultation with my family and closest friends, I have decided to put my name forward to contest the next election on behalf of the people of County Clare. I want to bring my wealth of experience of dealing with local people on local issues to a platform where I can deliver real change for those I represent,” Councillor Mulcahy said.
“County Clare and Ireland are at a crossroads now in terms of delivering key decisions and policies that will help get the local and national economy back on track. By contesting this election, I am conscious of the huge economic and social concerns of the people of Clare and am committed to playing my part in helping to deliver for a brighter future for all,” he added.
While a decision on possible running mates for Deputies Breen and Carey is expected in January, the party remain tight lipped about the specifics.
Jim McMahon, Fine Gael’s Munster organiser, told The Clare Champion on Wednesday that a decision on how many candidates and who will stand for the county in the General Election will be decided in January.
“There is a sense there will be an early election so we would be moving on all constituencies in the early new year deciding whether or not to make additions to teams,” he stated.