05/05/2009

Candidates In By-Election To Be Named

Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael are to announce their candidates in the highly anticipated Dublin South by election on Wednesday.

The Government made the surprising announcement last week that it was planning to hold the by election on June 5th, the same day as the European and local elections.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said on Sunday that the upcoming European elections are the most important ever. Speaking at the launch of his party's campaign, Mr Kenny said it was vital to send a strong team to the Parliament due to the number of member states, and the reduction in the number of Irish MEPs.

Some 31 candidates have been so far selected to run for Europe and though nominations for the June contest do not close until next Monday, most parties have already named their candidates.

For the first time anti-Lisbon Treaty party Libertas will also present candidates.

In the Dublin Central by election, Senator Ivana Bacik will seek the Labour nomination while Councillor Mary Fitzpatrick has confirmed that she will seek the Fianna Fáil nomination for the seat, which was made vacant following the death of Tony Gregory.

40-year-old Ms Bacik is an independent Senator for Trinity and contested the last European election as a Labour candidate.

(DW/BMcC)

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