‘Strange election’ predicted by first time candidate
HAVING been selected to run for Fine Gael for the first time in a General Election, Inistioge man Cllr Michael Doyle is anticipating a strange election with huge opportunities for candidates.
“I was late coming to the table with my decision to run. I am delighted and honoured to have gotten through the convention with the support of the members, particularly Fidelis Doherty, Pat Dunphy and Joe Lyons. I am delighted that I will be able to give it a good shot to contest the General Election.”
In an attempt to keep and build on that Dáil seat that is due to be vacated by John Paul Phelan, Fine Gael chose two Kilkenny candidates and one from Carlow to contest the upcoming election.
From Kilkenny, sitting councillors David Fitzgerald and Michael Doyle were chosen, with recent local election candidate, Orla Kelly, missing out.
It was then between former TD Pat Deering and first timer Catherine Callaghan, fighting for the Carlow spot, with Ms Callaghan winning out, having lost the Local election seat by one vote.
Cllr Doyle, a married, father of two (who worked for years at New Ross Community Hospital up until recently), said he has the experience and hard work ethic to deliver for the people of Kilkenny, and south Kilkenny, in particular.
“I have been elected for the last ten years and I’ve a good grasp of what issues are on the ground and the concerns people have in both Carlow and Kilkenny. They are both rural counties so the issue are across the board.”
Cllr Doyle, who was Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council for the past year, said he gets great advice and support from his party colleagues in south Kilkenny, adding that he will need to pick up votes throughout the electoral area to win the Dáil seat. “The bigger populations are in these urban centres, so they will obviously be key areas for the General Election.”
Cllr Doyle said he doesn’t know when the election will take place, with some camps believing it will take place as soon as late October, after the budget, while others believe it will be in March.
“We are getting prepared and will be ready to go when the election is called. It’s a strange election as it will be the first time in 25 years that we won’t have John Paul Phelan (active in politics) and the first time in over 70 years that there won’t be an Aylward, Bobby or Liam, running for Fianna Fáil.
“The south of the county has always had really good representation and my ambition is to continue to represent the people of the south of Kilkenny and their views during the next term, if elected.”