It is seven days to polling day and seven days to a new era in our political landscape.
Never before have the electorate being so engaged in an election campaign. But it is about time we grilled the would-bes before committing our number ones. It is about time we considered how our electoral system works and the single transferable voting system.
This issue has been highlighted by the Fine Gael strategy which aims to elect four candidates in Mayo for the first time.
This is Enda Kenny’s time and if ever he was in a position to return four TDs to Dáil Éireann from his home constituency, the time has now come.
But politics never runs smoothly and their party press officer is adamant that Deputy John O’Mahony and Cllr Michelle Mulherin are to benefit equally from the transfer of Michael Ring’s and Enda Kenny’s number twos to bring them over the line.
However hot on their heels will be Minister of State Dara Calleary. Having just completed his first stint in the Dáil and singled out as a rising star within the Fianna Fáil party, he offers FFers a good, clean, option.
The state of the country and the public’s loathing of all things Fianna Fáil is giving great ammunition to the Independents. There are five in all in Mayo, each with their own agenda and reasons to have made the gutsy decision to run.
Michael Kilcoyne, the trade unionist, the consumer expert, and funeral director, will be looking at Beverley Flynn’s seat and licking his lips. But he, as all the Independents do, needs number ones to make the leap from councillor to TD.
Martin Daly is being backed by Libertas founder Declan Ganley and was an anti-Lisbon campaigner. He shows promise but one would wonder if the campaign has been too short for the majority of these Independents to stamp their authority on the issues.
Loretta Clarke, at 75 years of age, is giving a voice to the elderly. She wants better facilities for Alzheimer’s sufferers. She is demanding that Fine Gael highlight their proposals for the protection of the elderly.
Dermot McDonald has said the answers are “blowin’ in the wind”. He’s all for the development of onshore wind and the financial benefits this will reap for Mayo. The former investment banker has already brought a German company to Mayo who met with the county manager and was encouraged by the prospects available here.
Less is known about Sean Forkin except that he is from Cloontia, Charlestown, and is a farmer and electrician.
Then there’s Dr Jerry Cowley, a former Independent TD who lost his seat and has now joined the ranks of Labour in a bid to get re-elected. According to his party leader a Labour seat in Mayo would bring balanced political representation to the county. Eamon Gilmore said its no longer about Fianna Fáil versus Fine Gael, but Labour versus Fine Gael.
John Carey from Kilmaine, a quantity surveyor, will be looking for the Green vote and feels Mayo is ideally placed to be a hub for clean digital and greentech companies.
It is an all woman ticket for Sinn Féin with sitting councillors Rose Conway-Walsh and Therese Ruane vying for a seat (or two ). They have met this campaign head on and with enthusiasm and are by no means just making up the numbers. They, along with Lisa Chambers and Loretta Clarke, are flying the flag for women and would be looking to secure the fourth or fifth seat.
That leaves Ms Chambers, a first timer who shows excellent promise like her Fianna Fáil running mate Dara Calleary. The 24-year-old is making a name for herself and with the departure of Beverley Flynn there is still a traditional FF and female seat to be filled in Castlebar. Vote carefully.
Toni Bourke
Editor [email protected]
