FF ‘could lose five seats on Cork council’

FIANNA FÁIL could lose up to five seats on Cork County Council, dropping its membership on the 48-seat local authority from 16 to a record low 11.

That’s according to Cllr Alan Coleman, Fianna Fáil leader on the council, who admits the party is getting a rough ride on doorsteps.

“People are very angry. A lot are saying very politely that they won’t be voting for the Government party. In the past people would have been reluctant to say they wouldn’t vote for you, but now they will say it straight to your face,” Cllr Coleman said.

He was first elected to Cork County Council in 1991 and readily admits this is the most difficult election he’s had to face.

“Without a shadow of a doubt this is the worst year I’ve seen,” the Belgooly man said.

“People have seen a drop in their pay packets and they don’t see any light at the end of the tunnel. They say they lack confidence in the Government seeing us through this. They also perceive that the Government isn’t on top of the banking crisis and hasn’t been as firm with the banks as it should have been,” Cllr Coleman said.

He said any candidate in his party who simply drops leaflets in the letterbox and walks away is being cowardly.

“The idea of the knock and run is totally unacceptable. It’s also very foolhardy. The public have a story to tell and we have to listen to them even though it may be unpalatable,” the councillor said.

He added that good local politicians will point to their record on local issues.

“I’m obviously standing on my own record,” Cllr Coleman said.

“We could lose anything between three and five seats. The loss of five would be an absolute disaster. There will be some very good FF councillors who will lose their seats because of the national and international situation,” he said.

Cllr Coleman is running in the three-seater Bandon electoral area and should get re-elected.

Being leader of the party doesn’t mean you’re safe and Cllr Coleman said he won’t be sitting on his laurels.

He is acutely aware that anyone can get voted out of office, pointing out that in 2004 the then FF leader on the council Vivian O’Callaghan was ousted in the Bantry area. The same year FF’s council whip, the late Cllr Tom O’Neill, also lost his seat in Dunmanway.