APPROACHES have been made at a national level as Fine Gael begin the process of identifying suitable General Election candidates.
The Clare Echo has learned that senior TDs in the party have made contact with individuals they believe could help the party to win two seats in the constituency.
Currently, Deputy Joe Carey (FG) is the party’s only TD in Clare with former Junior Minister Pat Breen (FG) losing his seat last February and subsequently announcing his retirement from politics. Carey is an automatic to be on the ballot paper for Fine Gael.
Senator Martin Conway (FG) also contested the 2020 General Election but was eliminated on the sixth count after polling with 2,285 first preference votes. The Ennistymon man has been a member of the Seanad since 2011.
While he has not been approached officially, putting his name back on the ballot has been discussed with fellow party members. “I consider the General Election to be a long way off but when the time comes I have no doubt I’ll be keen to be on the ticket”.
Bunratty farmer, Joe Melody has been touted as a surprise name to appear on the ballot for the party in the next General Election with senior party figures making approaches asking him to consider putting himself forward. The nephew of former TD and Senator, Madeline Taylor-Quinn is highly thought of within the party having held key roles in the Clare branch of Fine Gael.
Thirty one year old Melody has the potential to win over young voters while also appealing to an older cohort through his farming pedigree and to those in enterprise through his involvement in Melody Farm Pastured Eggs, the party feels
“You can never be in businesses of ruling anything in or out in life in general,” Joe told The Clare Echo. He outlined that their work on the farm was “very demanding” but also very enjoyable. He said he would consider the options put forward.
Party sources have referenced the strong advocacy of Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) in fighting for homeowners affected by pyrite to be included in a redress scheme as a sign that he is eager to make the step-up to national politics with his work-ethic lauded.
Formerly the Chairman of Clare GAA, Cooney has been the poll-topper in the Killaloe electoral area for the 2009, 2014 and 2019 local elections securing 24.43%, 25.63% and 26.65% of the first preference vote respectively.
Speaking to The Clare Echo, the O’Callaghans Mills man commented of the prospect of contesting a General Election, “I haven’t even thought of it, it is the last thing on my mind”. Cooney said, “I haven’t ruled anything in or out but I am of the belief that this Government will be in place for some years to come”. He said no approaches had been made to him, yet.
Equally, eagle-eyed politicos have referenced the fact that Cllr Mary Howard (FG) tabled a motion before Clare County Council this week seeking the commencement of an investigation on how defective blocks like pyrite and mica were used to construct homes.
For the 2019 local elections, Mary topped the poll in the Ennis Municipal District with 1,311 first preference votes. She went on to become Mayor of Clare in 2020. In July of this year, she was involved in controversy when Prime Time reported four separate incidents of expense claims for over-lapping events.
Through her advocacy work for the HPV vaccine, the daughter of the late Senator Michael Howard is seen as someone that has the potential to appeal to a wide range of demographics. A candidate in the 2016 General Election, Mary told The Clare Echo of the prospect of allowing her name go forward, “A General Election is a long way off, I’ve made no decisions”.
She acknowledged the need for more women to be in elected positions. “I would love to see more women on the ticket, particularly for the local elections in two and a half years time. It is a shame when you go into a meeting, there are women checking registers, taking the vote and making tea. They have serious positions on Convention but making the step to putting their name on the local ballot is another thing, we need to nurture candidates and guide them along. Women need to realise that they can be very capable politicians, women are problem solvers, we have empathy and it’s a shame we don’t have more female politicians”.
