Collins: I want the FG nomination
THE lady is not for turning – that is the strong stance of former Fine Gael TD Aine Collins who said she will seek the nomination from members in the election battleground that is Cork North West, despite Cllr John Paul O’Shea officially joining the party this week.
She told The Corkman that she will “without question” put herself forward for convention whether that is held “in the next few weeks or months”.
FG managed to woo the Independent poll topper John Paul O’Shea with what is viewed as the clear aim of the party returning two FG seats in CNW. However, Aine Collins wants members to clearly know that she wants to play her part in FG.
“It is the members who will decide and I am excited about the convention. Last October, I decided I wanted to go back into politics as I missed it. I miss representing the people of Cork North West,” Aine Collins said on Wednesday. She outlined how she was asked to run by the FG party before Christmas but with John Paul O’Shea now in FG, along with the poll topper Michael Creed, will it not be a case of no room at the inn?
“That will all be left up to the members. It is the members of the party who, it must be remembered, are with the party both in the bad times and the good. I am looking forward to an election as it’s an exciting time to be in politics and I do want to be in politics.
“I am working on the ground with community groups. I worked for people when the times were not so good (back in 2011) but with tough decisions taken the country is clearly in a much better position now,” she said.
She said when she was elected back in 2011, she hit the ground running despite the economic turmoil. Now, she said, the economy is in far better shape with the recent Government 2040 Vision for Ireland – it will greatly improve the lives for so many.
“This is an exciting time to be part of FG as our leader, Leo Varadkar, is inspirational. I want to play my part in politics as I believe I have a lot to give. I want the people to know that I have been out on the ground and know what the communities need and want.
“I spent time with IRD Duhallow recently and listened to how difficult it is for them to get the funding out to the groups that need it. I took time out (after losing her seat) and took stock and reflected but now I most definitely want to be back in politics,” she said.
“Politics always works best when there is a democracy and I want to get back out and contribute to the community. What I do want to make clear is that I respect the members and their decision as they are the driving force of the party,” she said.
CNW, a three seater constituency, has always produced blood, sweat and tears. In the 2011 General Election it returned two FG deputies, first time runner Aine Collins, the first woman elected in the region, and the long serving Michael Creed along with Kiskeam’s Michael Moynihan (FF). However, in 2016, it was role reversal with Aine Collins losing her seat and Michael Creed retaining his but with two FF seats returning to the first time runner Aindrias Moynihan and the veteran Michael Moynihan, who got the last precious seat after a marathon election count.