Parties on election footing as poll looms

Amid the greatest political and economic turmoil seen since the foundation of the State, political parties across Meath are gearing up for a bruising general election battle over the coming weeks. As anger mounts over the Government's handling of the economy, Minister for Transport Noel Dempsey's constituency office in Trim has been the target of vandalism attacks and senior Meath Fianna Fail councillor, Nick Killian, has called on the Taoiseach to resign. The political parties have swung into election mode following the Green Party's call for an election in January, with selection conventions due to place across the county over the next week or two and parties preparing to reschedule to earlier dates, if necessary. All the Opposition parties have welcomed the prospect of an early election with Fine Gael and Labour both predicting possible gains in both Meath East and Meath West and Sinn Fein predicting it could take a seat in Meath West. Fianna Fail are remaining tight-lipped about the campaign but sources within the party admitted that it will be a “gruelling election†for them. Ratoath Cllr Nick Killian has called on Taoiseach, Brian Cowen, to resign, saying the perception of the people of last week's debacle with IMF and the EU coming in was that they had been 'hoodwinked'. “Party members are seriously annoyed at the way the Taoiseach has dealt with this,†he said. He added: “The party does not need to go into election mode with Brian Cowen as Taoiseach. I accept that the budget has to be got through, but we have to find a mechanism so that we have a new leader going into the general election.†Cllr Killian said that, once the election is over, the reformation of the FF party would have to begin and younger, enthusiastic and vibrant people would be needed. However, Meath East Fianna Fail TD, Thomas Byrne, said that the time for internal Fianna Fail politics would be when budget had been adopted. “The people must come first and, until the budget is passed, we cannot be worrying about internal Fianna Fail matters,†he said. With senior Fine Gael sources in the county predicting additional seats in both Meath East and West, Labour and Sinn Fein have also indicated that they expect win additional seats in the forthcoming election. In both constituencies, sitting Fine Gael TDs Deputy Damien English and Shane Mcentee are considered definite candidates, and among those who have expressed interest in running for the party in Meath West are Cllrs Ray Butler, Sarah Reilly, Catherine Yore and Suzanne Jamal. Cllrs Regina Doherty and Maria Murphy are to seek nominations for Fine Gael in Meath East and the party is expecting further possible candidates to emerge in the run-up to the selection convention on 5th December. Deputy Damien English said he was looking forward to the battle ahead and said that, on the doorsteps, people are talking about their embarrassment at the Government and are adamant they want a change. Deputy Shane McEntee said the party would be fighting to take two seats in Meath East and he was looking froward to the campaign. Meath East Labour candidate, Senator Dominic Hannigan, looks well poised to take a seat, although there has been discontent within the party in Kells at the decision by headquarters to run just one candidate in the constituency. Sernator Hannigan said he was looking forward to the election which, he said, was an opportunity to get rid of this Government which had brought the country to chaos. “I am looking forward to the campaign. It will be hard, but I will be working every day and hour to try and win a seat for Labour,†he said. The Labour candidate in Meath West has yet to be selected, but Cllrs Tracy McElhinney and Jenny McHugh are expected to go before the convention seeking the nomination. Labour Cllr Anton McCabe said the party was in a great place to take a seat in Meath West. “The tide has turned towards Labour and we have done our own research. We have a lot to do but, once we have selected a candidate, the machine will start going and we expect the trade union movement to come in behind us.†He said the election would give the people the opportunity to return a government which would bring some stability to our country. Sinn Fein has already selected its candidates - Cllr Peadar Toibin in Meath West and former councillor, Michael Gallagher, in Meath East. The party believes it can take a seat in Meath West based on a recent opinion poll, which put the party on over 20 per cent. However, Clr Tóibín said he was not taking anything for granted. “Obviously, this is welcome news and reflects the reception we are getting on the doorsteps across Meath,†he said.