Mayo FF grassroots urged to 'mobilise behind two-seat Dáil bid'

Fianna Fáil grassroot members throughout Mayo have been urged to mobilise behind the party's bid to claim back two seats in the forthcoming general election.

Delegates at last night's selection convention at the Ivy Tower Hotel in Castlebar witnessed outgoing Minister of State Dara Calleary and Senator Lisa Chambers being chosen unopposed to meet HQ's directive for a two-candidate strategy.

Three local councillors - Paul McNamara, Brendan Mulroy and Damian Ryan - had been nominated to contest the convention prior of the deadline.

But each of them withdrew in what was widely regarded as a display of unity and support in favour of Calleary and Chambers.

In another, unexpected display of support, Castlebar Councillor Blackie Gavin accepted an invitation from the organisation to attend the convention.

That was despite his decision to resign from the party's grouping on Mayo County Council and join the new independent alliance at the annual general meeting on June 21 last.

He was welcomed by Senator Chambers who included him on a list of Fianna Fáil councillors "working hard for their communities across Mayo."

There has been some speculation that Councillor Gavin was considering running in the general election as a Fianna Fáil\Independent candidate in the county town, a move which would have posed challenges for Senator Chambers in her efforts to regain the seat she lost in the 2020 election.

Now that threat appears to be have been eliminated as the party is happy not to make a political fuss over Councillor Gavin's actions and draw a line under it.

Senator Chambers' campaign is also boosted by the fact that the Mayo constituency has an additional, fifth seat on this occasion.

She lost her seat four years ago after finishing in fifth place behind Fine Gael's Alan Dillon, now a Minister for State and who will become the senior figure on the Fine Gael general election ticket in the aftermath of the retirement of Deputy Michael Ring.

However, as Councillor Ryan pointed out to delegates, the winning of two seats won't happen unless every sector of the party in Mayo buys into it and undertakes the necessary canvassing work during the campaign.

"Anything less than two seats for us won't be considered a success.

"But if we put in the work to elect both Dara and Lisa, this county will have the clout it needs at the cabinet table.

"So let's mobilise behind them and get them over the line."

This view was also echoed by Councillor Mulroy who said unity is the key to bringing party success.

"We have two formidable candidates with the right experience and undoubted ability as well as having built up important connections."

In her address, Senator Chambers said Mayo needed to 'think big' and work with its neighbouring counties to attract major infrastructural development.

"Working as a region is the way forward in attracting regional investments and we need strong voices at the cabinet table to be part of the decision-making process."

She also pledged her support to young people seeking to buy their own houses for the first time.

Senator Chambers added significant strides are also being made in the provision of affordable and social housing in Mayo.

Minister Dara Calleary stated offshore energy has the potential to be a game-changer for Mayo over the coming years and "Lisa and I will do everything in our power to ensure the investment happens."

Both candidates also spoke of the need for ongoing investment in Ireland West Airport Knock as well as the level of government funding directed to Mayo over the course of the present government's terms.

Prior to the convention, the official opening took place of Senator Chambers' new constituency office at Tucker Street, Castlebar.