Fine Gael determined to win two seats in Longford-Westmeath ...

Minister Peter Burke and Senator Micheál Carrigy have been selected by Fine Gael to represent the party in the Longford-Westmeath constituency in the General Election.

A four-seater in 2020, Longford-Westmeath is now a five-seater constituency with FG declaring they are determined to capture a second seat. 

Ballinalee based Senator Carrigy contested his maiden general election four years ago securing an impressive 6,334 first preference votes and were it not for the fact that 3,500 Longford #1 votes crossed the county boundary and went to Sinn Féin poll topper Sorca Clarke (11,848 first preferences, comfortably exceeding the 11,277 quota by 571 votes), Longford could have been celebrating the election of two TDs, emulating the feat of 2007, when James Bannon (FG) and the late Peter Kelly (FF), were elected.

Minister Burke, who in 2020 saw his first preference vote increase by 936, rising from 5,681 in 2016 to 6,617, will be seeking to win a Dáil seat for the third consecutive election. 

Fianna Fáil captured two of the four seats on offer in 2020 thanks to Joe Flaherty and Robert Troy, the first time the party won two seats in the constituency since 2007 when Mary O’Rourke and the late Peter Kelly were elected. Deputy Troy topped the poll in 2016 with 11,653 votes but his first preference vote dropped by 2,322 to 9,331 in 2020, the second highest of the fifteen candidates in the race. He is the most experienced TD in the constituency and has secured election in three consecutive elections.

GE first-timer in 2020 Deputy Flaherty polled a hugely impressive 7,666 first preferences. Somewhat ironically, after James Bannon (FG) lost his seat in the 2016 general election, Longford was the ONLY county in the country without a sitting TD in the 32nd Dáil, and it was the transfer of 2,828 votes from the eliminated Carrigy (FG), that got Flaherty across the line.

Of course the biggest casualty four years ago was outgoing junior Minister Kevin 'Boxer' Moran. 

Fine Gael party members voted last night (Tuesday, May 7) to select Minister Burke and Senator Carrigy during a convention held in Athlone’s Radisson Blue Hotel which was chaired by Minister of State with responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development, Martin Heydon.

Fine Gael have now chosen five General Election candidates in four constituencies.

Peter Burke is Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who previously served as Minister of State with responsibility for EU Affairs & Defence and Local Government and planning. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 2016 and prior to that was first elected to Mullingar County Council and Mullingar Town Council in 2009.

He said: “It’s an honour to be selected by Fine Gael members in Longford and Westmeath to contest the next general election alongside my colleague Senator Mícheál Carrigy. Representing the people in my community continues to be a privilege and one I never take for granted.

“As a constituency TD running busy constituency clinics every week, I am keenly aware of the challenges and issues facing people in these counties. Similarly, as Minister for Enterprise, I have a unique viewpoint on the business environment and the ways in which government can support industry and provide quality employment.

“We have seen the management of our public finances translate into a growing economy with record levels of employment. We must now protect this progress and build on it, so we can continue to drive massive investment in housing, health, public services and infrastructure. Electing two Fine Gael representatives in this new five-seater constituency will mean we can continue to grow our economy and improve the quality of life we can offer to every person in Longford Westmeath.”

Also read: Longford Independent councillor Gerry Warnock sets sights on winning Dáil seat

When pressed for a date for General Election, Minister Burke refused to be drawn but commented, “The Government are fully focused on the critical issues that are facing our country at present, Housing, Business Supports, Law & Order, Education, Health. We will do our best to deliver for the constituents and address the concerns that make real differences to peoples lives.  I am taking a leading role for Small and Medium Businesses and pushing for additional supports to maintain our solid base of the business community throughout the country. We have the track record, our budgets balance and we have the skills and vision to continue improving lives in every sector of our community."

Senator Micheál Carrigy was first elected to Longford County Council in 2009. He was subsequently elected in 2014 and again in 2019. He was elected as Cathaoirleach of Longford County Council for 2019-20, before being elected to Seanad Éireann in 2020.

Also read: Fórsa members serve notice of industrial action at Longford's St Christopher's Services

Senator Carrigy is Fine Gael’s Seanad spokesperson on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sports and Media.

He said: “I am similarly privileged to have been selected by Fine Gael members to represent them in the next General Election, along with my colleague Minister Peter Burke.

“The past number of years have dealt many challenges to every person and family living in the Longford-Westmeath constituency, and around the country. It has been an honour to represent my constituents and I’m extremely grateful to the Fine Gael members for putting their confidence in me for being their standard bearer for this constituency, and I intend to continue to uphold the core values of our party.

“My focus is securing two seats for Fine Gael in Longford-Westmeath by continuing to work together. Minister Burke and I will deliver for the party and for the people of this constituency.”

An Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “Fine Gael is determined to win two seats in Longford-Westmeath and  I congratulate Peter Burke and Micheál Carrigy on their selection tonight.

“There will be a real choice for people in the next general election and Fine Gael is presenting two candidates here, who have shown they can deliver with integrity, while working tirelessly on behalf of rural Ireland. This will be in sharp contrast to the populist politics of those who lead the opposition.”

Also read: Local TDs react to additional seat in Longford/Westmeath constituency