Higgins on ticket for European elections

Higgins confirmed on ticket for European elections


Áine Ryan

AFTER much speculation in recent months, it has been confirmed that Fine Gael MEP, Jim Higgins, will be on the ticket for the new  Ireland Midlands-North-West constituency for the European Parliament elections on May 23 next. He was selected at a convention held over the weekend in Athlone after being proposed by Leitrim Councillor, John McCartin, and seconded by Galway Senator, Hildegarde Naughton.
“It has been my privilege to represent the Irish people in Ireland Northwest for Fine Gael since 2004. The new Ireland Midlands-North-West constituency takes in a broad sweep of 15 counties, with very different issues. It will be challenging to balance the concerns of counties as diverse as Donegal, Longford, Louth and my own home county of Mayo. This is a challenge that I look forward to. I’m familiar with the issues for the Northwest, the West and the Border region, having represented them for many years. I am eager to speak to the people of the Midlands and the Leinster counties that are now included in this new constituency,” Mr Higgins said afterwards.
He said that decisions made in the European Parliament ‘have a direct impact on the lives of ordinary people as 60 per cent of our national legislation comes directly from Europe.’
‘Our agriculture, our environment and our economy are all interlinked with what goes on in Europe. As Ireland moves towards recovery, the strong relationships we have with our European partners are more important than ever,’ Mr Higgins said.
He continued: “Fine Gael always sends strong people to Europe – former Ministers, and people with the diplomatic and political skills to ensure that Ireland’s voice is heard. The Irish people know what kind of representation they get from Fine Gael, and I am confident that my colleague Mairéad McGuinness and I will return two seats here in Ireland Midlands-North-West.
“It is a huge geographical area, and my party colleague is a huge media performer, and has a massive profile. She is certain to be elected. In terms of taking a second seat, we need to divide up the areas, in order to successfully canvass. These are details which need to be worked out in the coming days,” Mr Higgins added.

Speculation
IN recent months there had been speculation that Jim Higgins would be replaced on the ticket by sitting TD, John O’Mahony. Media commentary suggested that Fine Gael insiders thought that O’Mahony, with his high-profile GAA connections, would poll better across this vastly extended constituency, the biggest geographically in the entire EU. However, when questioned O’Mahony said there wasn’t a vacancy while Taoiseach Enda Kenny told The Mayo News a fortnight ago that he was  ‘absolutely behind’ Jim Higgins’s candidacy in the upcoming European Elections.
Speaking in Castlebar at the launch of a major renovation programme at the Sacred Heart Hospital, Mr Kenny said he expected ‘both Mr Higgins and Mairead McGuinness to be front-runners’ in the fight for seats in the newly expanded Midlands-North-West constituency.   
Quashing media speculation that John O’Mahony TD was the preferred party candidate, Mr Kenny said: “I don’t see any circumstances where Jim Higgins would be taken off the ticket.”