European Election candidate Niall Blaney has expressed a measured optimism regarding the recent successes of the 100% Redress Party in Donegal County Council.
Following the election of four of six candidates from the newly-formed party, Blaney said: “They have done really well. When you get power, it’s how you use it. They have a lot of responsibility on their shoulders now to try and make a difference.”
Blaney said he believes that Fianna Fáil’s representations for Donegal on the defective concrete block scheme haven’t been fully recognised.
“I feel like myself and Charlie (Minister McConalogue) have carried this scheme to where it is today and not getting the support in the county that we should get, there is an awful lot of work to do to make that scheme better,” Blaney said.
“It does need to be made better so I look to any support we get to try and make that happen because it’s not easy delivering for this part of the world from Dublin, because you are always against a numbers game, so delighted to see more support. I hope they use it well.”
Meanwhile, in the Midlands-North-West constituency, the election results remain uncertain after three counts. The quota stands at 113,325, with incumbent MEP Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan leading the poll with 78,214 first preference votes. Niall Blaney polled 30,387 votes and was in ninth position as of the first count.
Speaking to Donegal Daily ahead of the first count results, Blaney expressed satisfaction with his performance, particularly highlighting his 14,500 votes from Donegal. “Considering everything, it was a fantastic vote,” he stated.
