Fine Gael will hold its Galway West General Election Selection Convention next month, possibly in Salthill, with the most likely date being Sunday November 21.
The exact date, location, and chairperson for the convention has yet to be formally decided on by the party’s national executive, however the late November date is considered likely.
It is understood that two candidates will be chosen to stand for FG in Galway West with a third - or maybe even a fourth - being added at a later date.
FG’s sitting TD Pádraic McCormack is almost certain to stand for re-election while Senator Fidelma Healy Eames, city councillors Brian Walsh and Hildegarde Naughton, and Seosamh O’Lee, who received 1,200 votes in Connemara in the 2009 Local Elections, will all be seeking a place on the ticket.
County councillor Sean Kyne and city councillor Pádraig Conneely would be expected to also put their names forward, and may still do so, but both have said they will not run if Dep McCormack is standing again.
From now until the convention, prospective candidates will be meeting with party branches around Galway West and seeking members’ support. However FG sources expect Dep McCormack and Sen Healy Eames to be selected on the night.
This is because Dep McCormack is the sitting TD who commands wide support, and Sen Healy Eames’ local branch enjoys possibly the largest membership in the constituency
