Simon’s strategy in his own patch an electoral disaster

Tasked with delivering Munster for Fine Gael during the last general election, Housing Minister Simon Coveney’s embarrassing results speak for themselves:

CORK EAST

David Stanton retained his seat but running mate and outgoing TD Tom Barry lost out.

Result: Lost seat.

CORK NORTH CENTRAL

Junior minister Dara Murphy made it but could not bring his running mate in.

Result: Seat retained.

CORK NORTH WEST

Michael Creed retained his seat and made it to Cabinet but high-profile outgoing backbencher Áine Collins lost out.

Result: Lost seat.

CORK SOUTH CENTRAL

Simon Coveney himself retained his seat in this ‘group of death’ constutuency but high-profile outgoing TD Jerry Buttimer lost out

Result: Lost seat.

CORK SOUTH WEST

Jim Daly retained his seat but running mate Noel Harrington lost out.

Result: Lost seat.

CLARE

A victory, considering the trend, saw Joe Carey and Pat Breen retain their seats.

Result: Two seats retained.

KERRY

Brendan Griffin retained his seat but outgoing Minister Jimmy Deenihan lost out. The threecandidate strategy saw two quotas of votes only secure one seat.

Result: Lost seat.

LIMERICK

A rare positive with Patrick O’Donovan retaining his seat, while Tom Neville was elected for the first time. Demonstrates that careful management of votes can work.

Result: Retained two seats.

LIMERICK CITY

Veteran Michael Noonan retained his seat but running mate Kieran O’Donnell lost out – despite attracting a big vote.

Result: Lost seat.

TIPPERARY

Outgoing TDs Tom Hayes and Noel J Coogan lost their seats in a failed three-candidate strategy that left Tipperary without a FG representative, despite having enough votes for one seat.

Result: Lost two seats.

WATERFORD

John Deasy retained his seat but outgoing TD Paudie Coffey lost out, despite there being almost a quota-and-a-half to work with.

Result: Lost seat