FG select Burke and Carrigy to contest Longford Westmeath in general election
FG target two Dáil seats in midlands constituency
Minister Peter Burke and Senator Micheál Carrigy have been selected by Fine Gael to represent the party in the Longford Westmeath constituency in the general election.
Party members voted to select Minister Burke and Senator Carrigy last night (Tuesday) in a convention at Radisson Blue Hotel in Athlone, chaired by Minister of State with responsibility for Research and Development, Farm Safety and New Market Development, Martin Heydon.
Fine Gael have now chosen five general election candidates in four constituencies.
Peter Burke is Minister of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, who previously served as Minister of State with responsibility for EU Affairs and Defence and Local Government and planning. He was first elected to Dáil Éireann in 2016 and prior to that was first elected to Mullingar County Council and Mullingar Town Council in 2009.
He said: “It’s an honour to be selected by Fine Gael members in Longford and Westmeath to contest the next general election alongside my colleague Senator Mícheál Carrigy. Representing the people in my community continues to be a privilege and one I never take for granted.
“As a constituency TD running busy constituency clinics every week, I am keenly aware of the challenges and issues facing people in these counties. Similarly, as minister for enterprise, I have a unique viewpoint on the business environment and the ways in which government can support industry and provide quality employment.
“We have seen the management of our public finances translate into a growing economy with record levels of employment. We must now protect this progress and build on it, so we can continue to drive massive investment in housing, health, public services and infrastructure.
“Electing two Fine Gael representatives in this new five-seat constituency will mean we can continue to grow our economy and improve the quality of life we can offer to every person in Longford Westmeath.”
Senator Micheál Carrigy was first elected to Longford County Council in 2009. He was subsequently elected in 2014 and again in 2019. He was elected as cathaoirleach of Longford County Council for 2019-20, and was elected to Seanad Éireann in 2020.
Senator Carrigy is Fine Gael’s Seanad spokesperson on Tourism, Culture, Arts, Sports and Media.
He said: “I am similarly privileged to have been selected by Fine Gael members to represent them in the next general election, along with my colleague Minister Peter Burke.
“The past number of years have dealt many challenges to every person and family living in the Longford Westmeath constituency, and around the country. It has been an honour to represent my constituents and I’m extremely grateful to the Fine Gael members for putting their confidence in me for being their standard bearer for this constituency, and I intend to continue to uphold the core values of our party.
“My focus is securing two seats for Fine Gael in Longford Westmeath by continuing to work together. Minister Burke and I will deliver for the party and for the people of this constituency.”
An Taoiseach Simon Harris said: “Fine Gael are determined to win two seats in Longford Westmeath and I congratulate Peter Burke and Micheál Carrigy on their selection tonight.
“There will be a real choice for people in the next general election and Fine Gael are presenting two candidates here, who have shown they can deliver with integrity, while working tirelessly on behalf of rural Ireland. This will be in sharp contrast to the populist politics of those who lead the opposition.”