This article is from page 4 of the 2011-04-12 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 4 JPG
FRESH from becoming the biggest party in Clare General Election politics for the first time in the party’s near 80-year history in the county, Fine Gael are on the cusp of more electoral success in the coming week.
That’s the battlecry from the local organisation this week as Fine Gael’s 24-strong team of county and town councillors prepare to cast their votes in the Seanad Éireann election this coming Monday.
“We have two TDs and we have three candidates in the Seanad elections and can win three seats to give five Oireachtas members for the party in Clare,” Cllr Joe Arkins, the leader of Fine Gael group of councillors for the elections to the Upper House of the Oireachtas.
“That’s what we’re aiming for,” added Cllr Arkins, “and it’s a realistic goal because Fine Gael have enough votes around the country to get 23 or 24 Seanad seats. Having five Fine Gael Oireachtas members in Clare would be unprecedented.”
Councillor Martin Conway flies the Clare flag in the Administrative Panel, in which there are seven seats up for grabs. Cllr John Crowe contests the Industrial and Commercial Panel, in which there are 11 seats, while Cllr Tony Mulcahy is in the running for the Labour Panel that also has 11seats.
“Cllr Conway’s panel is a difficult one,” admitted Cllr Arkins, “because there are only seven seats, but there are still three Fine Gael seats to be won.
Clare Fine Gael has never had more than two members of Seanad Éireann at the same time. The last time they had two members was between 1993 and 1997 with Madeleine Taylor-Quinn, who was elected on the Labour Pane,l and Michael Howard, who was returned on the Industrial and Commericial Panel for the sixth successive Seanad election.