Four prominent Fianna Fáil figures have given their backing to Senator Niall Blaney in June’s European Election.
The four include former Tánaiste and deputy leader of Fianna Fáil, Mary Coughlan, have stated publicly that the Donegal Senator has their full support.
She’s joined by former TD and MEP, Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher and former TDs Eamon Scanlon and Frank Fahey, who also served in a ministerial capacity.
Senator Blaney said: “Support from such highly respected Fianna Fáil representatives is hugely encouraging. I’m enormously grateful for their endorsements, and I know they will be joined by scores of other Fianna Fáil figures who include Oireachtas and Council colleagues as we move the election campaign up a gear.
“All four have vast political experience and a track record of delivery. I share their goals and commitment. The path we are on is a tough one, but I’m convinced that with an all-out, focused effort, we can win back a seat for the party.
“The support I am receiving is heartening and most encouraging. The geographic spread of these endorsements is significant. We have Donegal, Sligo and Galway represented here which indicates to me that there’s a hunger for change and a groundswell of opinion in our favour.”
Ms Coughlan said: “Niall is passionate about addressing the regional imbalances that we have here and also the issue of migration policy. I am giving him my greatest support in my hope that he will be a very strong representative and an MEP for this constituency of Midlands-North West.
Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher said: “I’m well aware of Niall Blaney’s work ethic which is second to none. I’m calling on all of those who supported me over the years to support Niall in this European Election and ensure that we have a candidate to represent this region.”
Eamon Scanlon said: “I believe we haven’t had good representation in the North-West at European level. I believe if Niall Blaney is elected, He will be a voice for the people of this region and that’s why I’m supporting Niall Blaney.”
Frank Fahey said: “We haven’t had any representation in Europe in the past ten years. The farming community, rural Ireland, small towns, we’ve had no representation. We’re having continuous problems. There’s no money coming into the west; CAP is being reviewed; BMW (Border, Midland and Western) Region is gone. We need a representative in Europe who will deliver for the west of Ireland like Niall’s uncle, Neil, and Mark Killilea and Ray MacSharry.”
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