The Foreign Affairs Minister Micheál Martin told The Last Word on Today FM on Monday that Fianna Fáil is not preparing for an election. However Fine Gael is.
Fine Gael is preparing for the next general election which is officially due to take place in 2012, but could come just as easily any time over the next 12 months. As a result FG in Galway will hold its Galway West election selection convention before Christmas.
The party’s veteran TD for the constituency Pádraic McCormack is very likely to put his name forward to run, while Senator Fidelma Healy Eames will be standing for selection as will city councillor Brian Walsh.
It is also understood councillors Hildegarde Naughton and Eileen Mannion will also seek to put their names forward. Councillors Sean Kyne and Pádraig Conneely are also believed to be interested but they are unlikely to put their names forward if Dep McCormack is seeking re-election.