Ireland Election News

Link to Original ArticleA mere 268 votes went to Sinn Fein’s Jonathan O’Brien on his first political outing 10 years ago, but the proven poll-topper is now on the cusp of a major general election win. Since his failed political debut in 1999, the Sinn Fein councillor has won two local elections but fallen short [...]

Link to Original ArticleHARRY McGEE ELECTORAL STRATEGY Even if they all won, the party does not have enough candidates to secure a Dil majority FOR THE first time since its foundation in 1926, Fianna Fil is not fielding enough candidates to win an overall majority. As of last night, 74 candidates had been selected though [...]

Link to Original ArticleFIANNA FAIL leader Micheal Martin last night insisted it was “absolutely credible” to appoint 14 people who have never served in Cabinet to his new-look frontbench. Controversial former ministers such as Willie O’Dea and John McGuinness are returning to the frontline of Fianna Fail, under the new line-up of 21 spokespeople. Mr [...]

Link to Original ArticleMICHEAL Martin’s nickname among childhood friends is ‘Ducky’, but his constituency colleague was the one ducking and diving in Cork yesterday. Fianna Fail TD Michael McGrath was the most prominent of the Cork TDs not to say where he stood on the leadership battle. The Cork South-Central TD will be the running [...]

Link to Original ArticleMARY MINIHAN PARTY MEETINGMINISTER FOR Tourism Mary Hanafin did not disclose how she voted in the motion of confidence in Taoiseach Brian Cowen at last nights Fianna Fil parliamentary party meeting. There were 17 speakers, eight of whom spoke in favour of the motion and eight of whom spoke against, while Ms [...]

Link to Original ArticleFianna Fail has selected Charlie McConologue to run in the Donegal North East constituency in place of Niall Blaney, whos become the latest TD to announce that he wont contest the general election. The surprise announcement came this evening at the Donegal North East selection convention at which Mr Blaney cited personal [...]

Link to Original ArticleSTEPHEN COLLINS and DAN O’BRIEN Sharp differences between Fine Gael and Labour emerged over the weekend as the election campaign got under way in advance of the dissolution of the Dil tomorrow. In a significant move, Labour pulled back from its commitment to the 15 billion budget adjustment target by 2015, opening [...]

Link to Original ArticleHARRY McGEE, Political Correspondent NEW FIANNA Fil leader Michel Martin is expected to announce his new front bench on Monday, with many deputies of the view he will select Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin as deputy leader. Sources close to Mr Martin said yesterday he had spent most of his first two [...]