Larry Donnelly Law lecturer, NUI Galway TO SAY THAT the current race for 13 seats in the European Parliament across three constituencies has been a sleepy one is an understatement.
Will one of the two wildcards in Midlands-North-West, Peter Casey or Maria Walsh, sneak in at the expense of Fianna Fáil?Following are some thoughts as to how it might shake out over the weekend, with predictions that are far from hard-and-fast and come with a major health warning. The polls similarly indicate that Fianna Fáil’s Barry Andrews will probably succeed in his comeback bid to return to elective office and that Lynn Boylan of Sinn Fein, the sole incumbent seeking another term in the capital should also get over the line.It seems that it will come down to Councillor Ciarán Cuffe of the Green Party and Independents 4 Change TD, Clare Daly.
It would seem that the next candidate elected will be the colourful independent incumbent, Luke “Ming” Flanagan. Fianna Fáil arguably made a strategic blunder in selecting two TDs, Smith and Anne Rabbitte of Galway, who have little name recognition outside of their own territories. On the other hand, Maria Walsh is potentially the candidate most apt to attract transfers in a second-order election. She is a fresh face with an atypical CV who relates well to people and has surprised observers with her impressive showing in the opinion surveys.
Long-time Cork TD, Billy Kelleher, is on target to win a seat and may obtain a big share of Crowley’s support.Sitting MEP Deirdre Clune is one of those in contention, as well as three men from the Leinster end of the constituency: Fianna Fáil councillor Malcolm Byrne, Fine Gael TD, Andrew Doyle and Independents 4 Change TD, Mick Wallace.
Doyle will get a sizable vote in his Wicklow home and has cultivated the agricultural sector as a minister.