Fine Gael set to add six more candidates to general election tickets

Several Fine Gael ministers and TDs are on tenterhooks as the party is set to add up to six candidates to its general election tickets in key marginal constituencies.

The party intends to have all additions confirmed by the end of next week, but Children’s Minister James Reilly and chief whip Paul Kehoe are among those who look set to have an additional running mate for the election.

The party, which is targeting at least 60 seats in the election, currently has 84 confirmed candidates to contest the 40 constituencies, but party sources last night said the final total could be as high as 90.

“We are at 84 and I would say between 87 and 90 could be where we end up,” said one party source.

“All of our conventions are done. We are due more additions, but my sense is that they will be done by the end of next week.”

The party last weekend added Averil Cronin to the ticket in Wicklow to run alongside Simon Harris, the junior finance minister, and Andrew Doyle.

Fine Gael yesterday announced that the former mayor of Fermoy, Cllr Noel McCarthy, will represent the party in Cork East, along with deputies Tom Barry and David Stanton.

The party has identified constituencies where additions are likely. “We will add someone in Clare definitely, and then other possibilities include adding someone in Wexford. Dublin North has been mentioned,” said the party source.

Fine Gael’s state funding will be halved unless 30% of its Dáil hopefuls are female when the election takes place next spring. The party has been adding female candidates to tickets in several constituencies in recent weeks.

After adding Ms Cronin and Mr McCarthy, the party’s quota of female candidates stands at 28.5%, but party bosses are confident it will surpass the 30% marker.

Meanwhile, deputy Labour leader Alan Kelly has denied leaking internal polling that suggest the party could lose up to 20 seats in the election.

Weekend reports claimed party sources had accused the environment minister of leaking the information to damage potential leadership rivals. Mr Kelly has denied the allegation.

“Not alone [did I not leak information], but I’m not aware of such analysis even existing,” he told RTÉ radio.

“Much of the analysis put forward I wouldn’t even agree with.

“I think we have a great possibility of bringing this Government back.”

Reports published two weeks ago claimed that Labour strategists had warned the party could return with only 10 to 16 TDs after the next general election.

The analysis suggested that Alex White, the communications minister, and Seán Sherlock, the junior foreign affairs minister, are among those expected to lose their seats.

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin played down the story. He said: “There can’t be a leak of an analysis that doesn’t exist. Our objective is pure and simple: Now we have to maximise Labour votes, argue our case, put a case to people, not only to re-elect the Government that we’ve been part of for five years but also to have a strong Labour element to that.”