Roscommon-Galway Constituency Profile: Everything You Need to Know
A general election is looming in Ireland. With an election set to take place no later than March next year, it is important to be aware of the candidates running in your constituency. Here’s all you need to know about Roscommon-Galway.
Roscommon-Galway is a Dáil constituency in the west of Ireland. In the next general election, 3 seats will be up for grabs in the constituency. Ballinasloe, part of Athlone, Ballaghadereen, Castlereagh and Roscommon, among other areas, are all part of the voting area.
Here’s what we know so far about the confirmed and potential candidates running in the area.
Fine Gael
Fine Gael have confirmed the selection of two candidates to contest the next general election in the Roscommon-Galway constituency. Councillor John Naughten, who is currently an elected member of the Roscommon County Council for the Municipal District of Athlone, will contest for the seat being left vacant by his brother, Denis Naughten, who confirmed he will not contest the next election.
Fine Gael have also selected Dympna-Daly Finn, who contested the local elections in June and missed out on a seat in the Boyle electoral area.
Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin have confirmed the selection of a sole candidate to contest in the Roscommon-Galway constituency. Deputy Claire Kerrane will look to retain her seat in the next Dáil, having been elected as a TD in 2020.
Fianna Fáil
No date has been confirmed for the Fianna Fáil candidate selection convention as of yet.
Independent Ireland
Sitting Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice today confirmed to Galway Pulse his party, Independent Ireland, are still in the process of selecting a candidate for the constituency.
All other parties and independent candidates
No other parties or independent candidates have confirmed they will contest the next general election in the constituency as of yet.
What Are Constituents Most Concerned About?
Speaking to Galway Pulse, Tarmonbarry, Co. Roscommon resident Dermot Kilcrann says, “planning permission on family farms in the constituency as well as public transport and taxi services in the rural areas of the constituency are both big concerns here. First-time home buyers not being able to get mortgages has been a huge one over the last number of years. Waiting times to see consultants in hospitals is another. We’re seeing a lot of small businesses having to close down as well which is never a good sign.”
Andrew Mannion of Ballinasloe, who ran in the local elections in that area, says “The most prevalent concerns raised during canvassing for the locals, while not really within the remit of local councils but most definitely issues that will be brought up again on the doors leading up to the General, were the provision of housing, healthcare and the cost-of-living.
Most people I talked to had come to the realisation that the government parties, especially Fine Gael having been in power since 2011, had either no interest in or were completely incapable of fixing the issues faced by workers and ordinary people.
The need for new industry and employment in the town was also mentioned but without a government willing to fund public services like housing, places in education and childcare, and adequately staff and fund hospital and healthcare services, the cart is being put before the horse in this regard.
Ballinasloe, as the only Galway town in the Roscommon-Galway constituency, is at a critical juncture at this moment in time where the prevailing sentiment is that the town and it’s people have been an afterthought for TD’s in Roscommon-Galway and councillors in County Hall over the last 15+ years.
I just hope that the people of Ballinasloe can channel their frustrations to demand and vote for change that is so desperately needed in this upcoming election.”
