Timmins: I will run in General Election

FORMER FINE Gael and Renua TD Billy Timmins has announced his intention to run in the next general election.

The Baltinglass man who held a Fine Gael seat in Dáil Éireann for 16 years before he lost the whip and helped to establish Renua, said that following a period of reflection, he believes he can make a positive contribution to politics in the county.

‘It has been over a year since I have been involved in politics and during that time being outside the bubble I have decided that I will run for election again, whether that is in three months or three years. I think I have something to offer the people of Wicklow and Carlow and there are lots of things I would like to see done on a county and national level,’ he said.

When pressed on whether he intends to run as an Independent candidate or seek to join a political party, or even rejoin Fine Gael, Mr Timmins was non-committal.

‘I have always believed in the concept of party politics but some things may be outside my control. Only time will tell,’ he said.

Mr Timmins said that he believes a positive approach is required in the constituency.

‘I really believe that we can achieve a lot if we adopt a positive approach in the constituency and put the emphasis on ‘can-do’ rather than the negative.

Having served as a TD following the retirement of his father Godfrey Timmins in 1997, Mr Timmins remained Fine Gael member until he lost the whip in 2013 over his views on the abortion issue.

He then remained Independent for a year before establishing Renua with former party colleague Lucinda Creighton.

Following a poor Renua performance in the 2016 general election where he lost his seat, Mr Timmins resigned from the party.

While he declined to comment on the possibility of a return to Fine Gael, sources say he could be enticed back under the right leadership.