Former Minister Confident "Harris Hop" Can Secure Two Clare Seats For Fine Gael

Clare FM

Clare's Government TD believes a general election is needed as soon as possible to ensure the people of this county have adequate representation in Dáil Eireann. Following Fine Gael Deputy Joe Carey's decision to retire from politics this week, just two of Clare's TD's remain in office. Under Article 16.2.2 of Bunreacht na hEireann, there must be at least one TD for every 30,000 people in a constituency. But following Michael McNamara's election to the European Parliament in June and Deputy Joe Carey's decision to resign from public office on medical grounds, Clare now has just one TD for every 64,000 people. Although a date has not been set for the impending general election, it's widely expected the Government will go to the polls after the budget. Meelick Fianna Fáil TD Cathal Crowe, who's now Clare's only government representative in the Dáil, believes it's in the best interest of the public for the next election to be held in the coming months, rather than a string of bye-elections. The Clare branches of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael will both be holding their selection conventions in the coming weeks. At the close of nominations, Doonbeg Councillor Rita McInerney, Tulla based Senator and former TD Timmy Dooley and sitting Deputy Cathal Crowe have thrown their hats in the ring. While for Fine Gael, Ennistymon Senator Martin Conway and Leonora Carey, the sister of Joe Carey are the only candidates to declare an expression of interest to represent the party in the upcoming general election. A former Clare Fine Gael TD admits it's concerning the party will not have a contest at their upcoming convention and that it will not have representatives covering the West and East of the county. Fine Gael has not returned two seats in Clare since 2016, and while former Minister of State Pat Breen acknowledges it will be an uphill battle to do so this time round, he's hopeful the "Simon Harris Hop" will benefit his colleagues. Clare's newest General Election candidate meanwhile insists opening the Ennis Medical Assessment Unit on a 24/7 basis will be among her chief priorities. Following her brother Joe's resignation this week, 16 of Fine Gael's 35 TD's elected in 2020 won't now be running in the next election. Clarecastle native, Leonora Carey, who is currently an Occupational Therapist Manager with the UL Hospitals Group, believes a fresh approach is needed to the challenges of the day and says addressing local service deficits is vital.