FG ponder Labour council support
Eoghan O'Brien celebrating his election.
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Wednesday June 10 2009
FINE Gael ran a risky strategy in trying to take two seats from two candidates in the redrawn ward of Howth/Malahide but the plan proved successful in the end.
Returning to Fingal County Council after his second successful tilt at a seat is Cllr Alan Farrell (FG) along with veteran candidate Cllr Joan Maher who won the faith of voters once again in the new ward.
Speaking after a long, but ultimately successful, day at the count centre, Cllr Farrell said: 'Obviously I'm delighted. The polling, particularly in Malahide, was very high and a lot higher than I expected and that's obviously very gratifying. I've been out for nearly 10 months canvassing and I've had a very, very positive response.
'A lot of people were looking for change and they have given Fine Gael an extra seat – six seats on the council now which is a very nice place to be.' With a word for his supporters, he said: 'I have to thank my wife Emma who has been out with me virtually every night, also my parents and a few key people within the organisation in Malahide in particular who have given a huge amount of their time to my campaign.
'Obviously, there was Nora Owen, Anthony Lavin and a man who I thanked back in 2004 as well, Neill Atkins – he has given great time to the campaign and he's a great man to have at counts because he was able to tell me almost as soon as I arrived how it was going to transpire and that' is exactly how it has transpired.'
Looking ahead, Cllr Farrell expressed the hope that Fine Gael and Labour, who both increased their representation on the council, could work together again in a renewed coalition on Fingal County Council. He said: ' We have worked well with Labour over the last five years. There was a different direction imposed by Fine Gael and Labour and I think that has paid off for both parties now that we are both returned with increased seats and I would be hopeful that an arrangement can be made.' He added: ' The economics would demand that we change our direction. We are going to have to spend a lot more time looking at existing communities rather than building new ones and look at investing what little money we have wisely.'
- John MANNING
