By Kate Heaney
AS speculation continues as to when the government will call the next General Election, parties and independent candidates in Donegal are moving forward with candidate selection in anticipation of it happening before the end of this year.
Sinn Féin sources say it looks like the party view at present is to run two candidates in Donegal, sitting TDs Pearse Doherty and Padraig MacLochlainn. However, there is a month to go before they hold their selection convention.
Speaking to the Donegal News sitting TD Padraig MacLochlainn confirmed he and his fellow TD Pearse Doherty would be “throwing their hats in the ring”.
“We have not set a date yet for the convention but it will be some time next month. We may be looking at a General Election in November after the October Budget which I expect to be a crowd pleaser,” he added.
Deputy Thomas Pringle’s office confirmed yesterday that he will be standing in the next General Election with a view to retaining his Independent Dáil seat.
Fianna Fáil has six potential candidates selected at this stage although pundits in the know are saying they will just run two in Donegal.
Fianna Fáil will hold their selection convention on Thursday, September 12 in the Mount Errigal Hotel in Letterkenny when the parties almost 900 Donegal delegates will choose between the six nominees.They are Minister Charlie McConalogue, veteran party former TD, Minister and MEP Pat the Cope Gallagher, Senator Niall Blaney, Cllr Michael Naughton, Cllr Donal Mandy Kelly and Ben Harkin from Termon Ogra. Speaking to the Donegal News yesterday Donegal party chair Mary Coughlan declined to say whether or not a strategy on how many candidates to field had been made.
“Party HQ will make that decision although the Dáil Ceantair consideration would consider two candidates to stand.
“While Charlie is a sitting Minister and TD he still has to go before the convention.
“It is a matter for the delegates on the night to decide,” she added.
Mary T Sweeney of Aontú said yesterday they have not held their selection convention yet to decide on candidates.
“The selection convention will be held in around ten days’ time and we shall no more then,” Ms Sweeney said.
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