Early birds out to catch the votes

SEVERAL CANDIDATES WEIGHING UP THEIR GENERAL ELECTION OPTIONS

AS speculation mounts that the Government may fall triggering a snap General Election four potential candidates are weighing up their options.

Former Fine Gael Minister Jimmy Deenihan and Kerry County Council members Michael Gleeson, Michael O’Shea and Michael Cahill are all considering a Dáil run if an election happens in the near future.

Amid increasing uncertainty about the Government’s Stability – in the wake of the cabinet row over Independent Minister John Halligan’s demand for a second Cath Lab at Waterford hospital – several candidates are preparing for a snap election.

Doubts over Enda Kenny’s future – exacerbated by Kerry FG TD Brendan Griffin’s latest call for the Taoiseach to step down – have added to the election speculation.

Mr Deenihan – who lost his seat at the last General Election – said he will make a decision on a bid to retain his seat by Christmas.

It is understood that the former Arts and Diaspora Minister is strongly considering another Dáil run but that the timing of any election would be a key factor in his decision.

Most of the political activity is in south Kerry where it is thought Deputy Danny Healy-Rae’s seat could be vulnerable to a challenge from a strong locally based candidate.

The Killarney and Iveragh areas are seen as a potentially rich and largely untapped source of votes for the major parties and the South Kerry Independent Alliance.

Fianna Fáil Cllr Michael Cahill – who recently rejoined the party having quit with former TD Tom Fleming in 2011 – has said he will seek the party’s nomination to contest the next election as a second candidate in Kerry,

Cllr Cahill organised a meeting on Saturday to gauge support for his bid and to begin putting a team together.

Kerry Independent Alliance Cllr Michael Gleeson said he would be unlikely to run if the Government lasts the next three years, but would consider running if an election is called in the coming 12 months.

Fianna Fáil’s Michael O’Shea said he will be seeking his party’s nomination to contest the next general election.