Minister Burke: Fine Gael to 'reflect' on local election performance

Fine Gael will “reflect on things that could have been done better” in their Westmeath local election campaign, according to Minister Peter Burke.

The party lost one of its two seats in Kinnegad after Seamus McDermott failed to replace his brother Frank, who retired at the end of last term after more than 50 years as a public representative.

In Mullingar, Gerard Heery came close to taking a second seat for Fine Gael, but he was narrowly defeated by Sinn Féin’s Julie McCourt after transfers went her way.

It was a repeat of 2019, where Mr Heery was a in the running to take the sixth seat in Mullingar but was pipped at the post by Hazel Smyth.

Minister Burke said it was a difficult election. “First of all, we have got four councillors re-elected, but unfortunately, we didn’t get Seamus McDermott in the Kinnegad area to retain his brother’s seat – that was so unfortunate,” he said.

“It was also heartbreaking to see Gerry Heery go so close, by such a tight margin.

“To be denied for the second election running, having been very far in front on the first count, is difficult to take, but that’s politics, and we’ll pick ourselves back up and go forward.”

The enterprise minister said Gerry got a “fantastic vote,” but it just wasn’t to be.

“It’s one of those difficulties in the proportional representation system that you do need transfers, and you do need a significant lead,” he said.

“Unfortunately, it just wasn’t enough, but he put in a fantastic effort and was bringing a huge new skill set to the council, in terms of special education and policy around that, so it’s unfortunate that he didn’t make it in.”

On the positive side, Minister Burke said it was “absolutely” a good day for his party nationally.

“I think winning the largest share of the popular vote was important for the party,” he said.

“Almost two months ago, people were focused on retirements, and now it’s on the future.

"We have a lot of exceptionally talented young candidates that got elected, first-time out candidates that are now in a strong position to go forward and hopefully be a major challenge for the Dáil.”

The cabinet minister said he doesn’t expect a snap election will be called in Ireland, as has been done in the UK and France.

“I think it’s so important we have a budget first; I think we need a strong budget for the county,” he said.

“The budget is going to be critical because we need to demonstrate and show people that we are here to govern for the mandate that we were elected to do.

“I wouldn’t believe in this idea of going to the country over the summer or before a budget. I think a budget is the most important thing.”