Senator Niall Blaney confirms withdrawal from FF general election convention

Senator Niall Blaney has confirmed his withdrawal from the Fianna Fáil general election selction convention.

Senator Blaney has instead thrown his support behind the current Minister for Agriculture, Charlie McConalogue.

The convention will take place on Thursday evening in Letterkenny.

Party headquarters decided that a district convention model will be used at the convention, meaning that Pat 'The Cope' Gallagher and Councillor Michael Naughton will contest the nomination in Donegal South with McConalogue, Councillor Donal 'Mandy' Kelly and Ben Harkin will contest the nomination in Donegal North.

“I wish to thank those that put my name forward for convention and those that asked me to contest this election,” Senator Blaney said.

“In considering whether to run, I must consider the benefit of having a Minister in this part of Donegal. The next two years will be crucial in terms of Donegal’s infrastructure.

“The Ten-T scheme and the A5 through Northern Ireland are critical pieces of infrastructure development which have really progressed over the lifetime of this government. It is critical that we now get them to construction over the next two years.”

Senator Blaney said that having a Minister at the Cabinet table was a big part of that jigsaw and having himself and McConalogue on the same ticket “would just jeopardise the chances of holding that seat”.

He added: “The delivery of so many projects within the lifetime of this government is only possible with a seat at the cabinet table. So much progress has been made and so much more is needed.”

Senator Blaney said he believes that the Fianna Fáil party stands a good chance of winning back a seat in the south-west of the county.