Three seeking to be Fine Gael’s candidate for Galway West bye-election

Fine Gael has formally closed the nominations process to select a candidate for the upcoming Galway West bye-election.

Three candidates have been nominated: Eoghan Gallagher, Councillor Eddie Hoare and Senator Seán Kyne.

A selection convention will take place on February 22nd in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, where Fine Gael members will vote to choose the party’s candidate.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke who has been appointed as Fine Gael Director of Election for the Galway West bye-election said: “We have three excellent candidates in Eoghan Gallagher, Councillor Eddie Hoare and Senator Seán Kyne, and I know we will have a healthy and competitive process over the coming weeks.

“All nominees will be canvassing the members of Galway West, who I know are already very engaged in this process, and who will get behind the successful candidate when they are selected on February 22nd.

“We are looking forward to running a positive, energetic campaign that engages voters across the constituency on the things that matters to them most.”

Eoghan Gallagher said: “I am humbly asking Fine Gael members for their support to contest the bye-election, having served the party locally, nationally and in Europe – as Young Fine Gael National President, as an advisor, and as a candidate. Galway has given me so much opportunity through education, sport, music, our language and more.

“I now want to give back to our community by bringing fresh ideas and pragmatic perspectives to government policy. I want to work hard on your behalf to deliver for Galway and for young people across Ireland.”

Councillor Eddie Hoare said: “I am greatly honoured to have received a nomination from the Fine Gael party members to contest the selection convention for the upcoming bye-election in Galway West. Since elected to Galway City Council in 2019, I have consistently worked each and every day to create a better Galway.

“I’ve worked closely with my own colleagues, the council executive, Government departments, community groups and local residents to deliver a number of key local projects. My main priorities will be the progression of key transport projects in Galway West, the promotion of and delivery of more affordable homes and the introduction of measures to address the cost-of-living challenges.”

Senator Seán Kyne said: “I am delighted to have been nominated by so many members of the Fine Gael Party in Galway West to contest the forthcoming convention. I have experience as a TD, Minister at Cabinet and presently as Leader of Seanad Éireann to work within Government and deliver for Galway West.

“I want to work to support continued investment in housing, disability services, the Galway Transportation Plan, including the Ring Road and Capital projects such as schools, childcare and roads.

“I look forward to continuing to engage with members across our city and county during the course of the campaign.”

Triúr ag iarraidh seasamh mar iarrthóir Fhine Gael i bhfothoghchán Gaillimh Thiar

Tá an próiseas ainmniúcháin dúnta go foirmiúil ag Fine Gael chun iarrthóir a roghnú don fhothoghchán i nGaillimh Thiar.

Tá triúr iarrthóirí ainmnithe: Eoghan Gallagher, an Comhairleoir Eddie Hoare agus an Seanadóir Seán Kyne.

Beidh coinbhinsiún roghnúcháin ar siúl ar an 22ú Feabhra in Óstán Chuan na Gaillimhe (Galway Bay Hotel), Bóthar na Trá, áit a vótálfaidh baill Fhine Gael chun iarrthóir an pháirtí a roghnú.

Dúirt an tAire Fiontar, Turasóireachta agus Fostaíochta, Peter Burke, atá ceaptha mar Stiúrthóir Toghcháin Fhine Gael do fhothoghchán Gaillimh Thiar: “Tá triúr iarrthóirí den scoth againn in Eoghan Gallagher, an Comhairleoir Eddie Hoare agus an Seanadóir Seán Kyne, agus tá a fhios agam go mbeidh próiseas dearfach iomaíoch againn sna seachtainí amach romhainn.

“Beidh na hiarrthóirí go léir ag canbhásáil baill Ghaillimh Thiar, agus tá a fhios agam go bhfuil siad an-ghníomhach sa phróiseas seo cheana féin.  Tá súil agam go dtacóidh siad leis an iarrthóir rathúil nuair a roghnófar é ar an 22ú Feabhra.

“Táimid ag tnúth le feachtas dearfach, fuinniúil a reáchtáil a spreagann vótálaithe ar fud an dáilcheantair maidir leis na ceisteanna is tábhachtaí dóibh.”

Dúirt Eoghan Gallagher: “Tá mé ag iarraidh go humhal ar bhaill Fhine Gael a dtacaíocht a thabhairt don iomaíocht san fhothoghchán, tar éis dom freastal ar an bpáirtí go háitiúil, go náisiúnta agus san Eoraip – mar Uachtarán Náisiúnta Óige Fhine Gael, mar chomhairleoir, mar iarrthóir, agus go leor eile. Tá an oiread sin deiseanna tugtha ag Gaillimh dom trí oideachas, spórt, ceol, ár dteanga agus go leor eile.

“Ba mhaith liom rud éigin a thabhairt ar ais dár bpobal trí smaointe úra agus léargais pragmatacha a thabhairt do bheartas an rialtais. Ba mhaith liom oibriú go dian ar do shon chun seachadadh a dhéanamh ar son na Gaillimhe agus do dhaoine óga ar fud na hÉireann.”

Dúirt an Comhairleoir Eddie Hoare: “Is mór an onóir dom ainmniúchán a fháil ó bhaill pháirtí Fhine Gael chun dul san iomaíocht sa choinbhinsiún roghnúcháin don fhothoghchán Gaillimh Thiar. Ó toghadh mé ar Chomhairle Cathrach na Gaillimhe i 2019, tá mé ag obair i gcónaí chun Gaillimh níos fearr a chruthú.

“D’oibrigh mé go dlúth le mo chomhghleacaithe féin, feidhmeannas na comhairle, ranna Rialtais, grúpaí pobail agus cónaitheoirí áitiúla chun roinnt tionscadal áitiúla tábhachtach a chur i gcrích. Is iad na príomhthosaíochtaí atá agam ná dul chun cinn na bpríomhthionscadail iompair i nGaillimh Thiar, tithe níos inacmhainne a chur chun cinn agus a sheachadadh agus bearta a thabhairt isteach chun dul i ngleic leis na dúshláin a bhaineann le costas maireachtála.”

Dúirt an Seanadóir Seán Kyne: “Tá áthas orm a bheith ainmnithe ag an oiread sin ball den pháirtí Fine Gael i nGaillimh Thiar chun dul san iomaíocht sa choinbhinsiún atá le teacht. Tá taithí agam mar Theachta Dála, mar Aire sa Rialtas agus faoi láthair mar Cheannaire ar Sheanad Éireann chun oibriú laistigh den Rialtas agus seachadadh a dhéanamh ar son Ghaillimh Thiar.

“Leanfaidh mé ag obair chun tacú le hinfheistíocht leanúnach i dtithíocht, i seirbhísí míchumais, i bplean Iompair na Gaillimhe, lena n-áirítear an Cuarbhóthar agus tionscadail chaipitil ar nós scoileanna, cúram leanaí agus bóithre.

“Táim ag tnúth le dul i dteagmháil le baill ar fud ár gcathair agus ár gcontae le linn an fheachtais.”