One Galway FF candidate may be dropped by new leader

BY CIARAN TIERNEY

New Fianna Fail leader Micheal Martin has not ruled out the possibility of removing either Frank Fahey TD or Michael Crowe from the party’s ticket for Galway West in a bid to ensure a return of two seats in the forthcoming General Election.

After retaining Minister Eamon O Cuiv as his spokesperson on Social Protection in his new front bench yesterday, Mr Martin is set to review the strategy of running three candidates in a constituency where they have set a target of retaining their two seats.

With opinion polls showing support for the party at 16% at the weekend, strategists may suggest dropping either Mayor of Galway, Michael Crowe, or experienced TD Fahey in order to maximize the party’s chances.

Speaking during his first visit to Galway as FF leader on Sunday night, Mr Martin confirmed that strategists were examining the tickets in various constituencies in a bid to ensure a maximum return of seats throughout the country.

With Minister O Cuiv widely expected to perform well, despite the outgoing Government’s collapse in support, strategists may question the wisdom of splitting the party’s support across three candidates.A precedent was set at the weekend when Mr Martin asked Noel O’Flynn TD to consider not running “for the state of the party” due to the widespread belief that there would be only one seat for Fianna Fail in the four seater Cork North Central.

Mr Martin told The Sentinel that FF was targeting two seats in both Galway constituencies, after he attended the selection convention in Galway West where Micheal Kitt TD and newcomer Michael F. Dolan were put forward for election.

“No two constituencies are the same. We have looked at it in terms of the data research we have in relation to individual constituencies and then we will do the appropriate strategies there,” he said, when pressed about the strategy for Galway West.  

“It’s close on the whistle now blowing for the election. The vast majority of constituencies have been sorted. There are a small number where discussions are on-going. Our target is two seats in each constituency in Galway.”

For more, read this week's Connacht Sentinel.