Senator Niall Blaney has weighed in behind Minister Charlie McConalogue ahead of Thursday’s Fianna Fail Selection Convention for the upcoming General Election.
Last night, Donegal Daily revealed that Blaney had pulled out of the race.
He was one of six candidates from which two names were due to be chosen to contest the next election for the Fianna Fail party in Donegal.
However, Senator Blaney has now withdrawn from the race.
This leaves Minister Charlie McConalogue, Councillor Donal Kelly, former MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher, Councillor Michael Naughton and Ben Harkin as the names due to contest the vote.
Sen Blaney told Donegal Daily he would be supporting the nomination of Minister McConalogue at Thursday’s convention which starts at 6pm in the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny. He also said he would be supporting Cllr Naughton and Pat ‘the Cope’ for the south Donegal nomination.
“I wish to thank those that put my name forward for convention and those that asked me to contest this election. I have to say, I was blown away with the level of support I received in Donegal at the European election just a few months ago,” he said.
In considering whether or not to run, Sen Blaney said he had to take into account the benefit of having a minister in ‘this part of Donegal’.
The next two years will be crucial in terms of Donegal’s infrastructure, he added, referring to the Ten-T scheme and the A5 through Northern Ireland.
“It is critical that we now get them to construction over the next two years,” he said.
“Having a Minister at the cabinet table is the biggest part of that jigsaw and myself and Minister McConalogue running on the same ticket would just jeopardise the chances of holding that seat. The delivery of so many projects within the lifetime of this government is only possible with a seat at the cabinet table. So much progress has been made and so much more is needed.”
Therefore, Sen Blaney concluded, he will be supporting Minister Charlie McConalogue at convention to ensure that Donegal is in a good position to continue the delivery of much needed projects.
“I also believe that the Fianna Fáil party have a good chance of winning back the seat in the south-west of the county. Moreover, I wish Cllr. Michael Naughton and Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher well for Thursday night.”
Donegal Daily also understands that Fianna Fail headquarters has decided that a district convention model will be used at the convention.
This means that Pat the Cope Gallagher and Michael Naughton will contest the nomination in Donegal South and Minister McConalogue, Councillor Kelly and Ben Harkin will contest the nomination in Donegal North.
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