Fianna Fáil first out of the blocks in local election race in Mayo
The first candidate selection convention in the country for the 2024 local elections has taken place in Mayo.
It was hosted today by the Castlebar Fianna Fáil Comhairle Ceanntair at the Ivy Tower Hotel and chaired on behalf of the party's national executive by Roscommon Senator Eugene Murphy.
Three candidates were nominated, namely outgoing councillors Blackie Gavin, Al McDonnell and Martin McLoughlin.
As the national executive's constituencies committee had issued a directive that three candidates be selected to contest the Mayo County Council election in the seven-seat Castlebar Municipal District in May 2023, the three nominees were ratified.
Once the formalities were completed, each of selected candidates addressed an attendance which included Minister of State Dara Calleary and Senator Lisa Chambers.
Minister Calleary said the three candidates had shown great commitment and dedication to the party over many years.
It was important that they hit the campaign trial with confidence as the government has not been found wanting in terms of supporting capital projects, particularly in the Castlebar area.
He said he understood the frustration that some of those projects - most notably the €11 million allocated to regeneration of the Castlebar urban core - had not yet started, but it will happen in the near future.
Senator Chambers described the ticket as "a strong, well-gelled team with a lot of experience and great individual qualities."
"No election has been easy for us but we can point to a great deal of government investment and supports over the past number of years.
"We will be bringing this message to the doorsteps at every opportunity," she added.
Senator Murphy said the reality is that Sinn Féin will be targeting Fianna Fáil seats in the 2024 local elections.
"That's why it is so important to get our message across to the electorate," he said.
The convention was brought to a close by the chairman of Castlebar Comhairle Ceanntair, Ger Feehan.