Fitzer honoured

DRAMA, excitement, a nail-biting finish, celebrations and tears. No, it wasn’t the Oscars but the Louth Count Centre as the winners and losers of GE2020 learned their fate.

The voters proved just as demanding as the members of The Academy, giving their approval to a fresh approach, rewarding those who could grab the headlines, yet casting aside others who had served their time or were hoping to make a break through. And just like the Oscars, women were in a minority.

At the end of two days of see-sawing predictions, heart break and elation, it was time for the speeches.

Returning Officer Mairead Ahern spoke of her ‘ huge admiration for all, regardless of party, for putting themselves forward to do a job which is very difficult, insecure and often thankless.’ They must, she said, be ‘commended’ for taking on the task of representing the people of Co Louth.

The only really ‘new’ face of the newly represented TDs, Sinn Fein’s Ruairi O’Murchu thanked the electorate for giving him and party colleague Imelda Munster ‘a huge opportunity’ which he said was ‘something we are got going to squander’.

‘We have been given great responsibility and we will not be found wanting.’

He thanked all those who went out and knocked doors for them.

Ged Nash of the Labour Party was clearly delighted to be giving a ‘ winner’s speech’ after losing his seat four years ago, recalling that it had been ‘a difficult time for me and my family’. Not only had he lost the election but his father-in-law had died.

It was, he continued, so important to have his family beside and behind him and he thanked his wife, her parents, and all the family for their support.

‘ Today is a day we well once again draw a line in the sand.’ He promised to try to regenerate the Labour party, saying he was proud and deeply honoured to represent the party which has served the State well and will continue to serve the county and country well.

He also thanked all his campaign workers, noting ‘ this campaign was not won in four weeks but in four years.

‘I am proud of the work I do, I never lost side of the values I represent and the party I represent,’ he said, adding that he is also proud of the work he has done to ensure that work pays for those who find it difficult to make a living.

He had very important work to do and the thanked the people of Louth for their trust and confidence and promised not to let them down.

Fine Gael’s Fergus O’Dowd was delighted to retain his seat, recalling that he been coming to election counts for many year. He was ‘very proud to represent the people and absolutely committed to this county’

He pledged that the five newly elected TDs would work together in the Dail and ‘ to address the unfair way the town of Drogheda is treated.’

‘I am absolutely committed to addressing the inadequacies in society, particularly the drug situation which is out of control,’ he said.

He thanked his wife, children, his staff and all the councillors who worked on the campaign.

Peter Fitzpatrick, who stood as an Independent this time after quitting Fine Gael quipped that this was his third General Election and it was ‘getting better and better’.

‘I am totally and utterly humbled to be representing Louth for a third time.’

Thanking his family and campaign team he said that while he didn’t come from a political background he did come from a team background and they all work together. ‘It’s better than the GAA and we all work together.

‘It’s a very good day for me. I really am honoured, thanks very very much.’