*Leonora Carey. Photograph: John McDermott
FINE GAEL have selected Clarecastle woman Leonora Carey (FG) as its candidate to contest the General Election in Clare.
Leonora who is a sister of the recently retired Clare TD, Joe Carey (FG) and the daughter of former Junior Minister, Donal Carey was officially declared as the party’s candidate at Friday’s selection convention held at Treacy’s West County Hotel.
As first reported by The Clare Echo, Senator Martin Conway (FG) withdrew from the contest meaning Carey was automatically going to be declared, given that she was then the only nominee left standing.
Government Chief Whip, Hildegarde Naughton (FG) chaired the selection convention. Fifteen of the party’s TDs elected in February 2020 have announced they will be not seeking re-election while Fine Gael has chosen 42 candidates across 28 constituencies.
Speaking following her selection, Leonora commented, “I am delighted to have been selected by the Fine Gael membership in Clare to contest the next General Election and I am looking forward to working closely with them to retain the seat held by my brother Joe and increase the party’s share of the vote in the constituency. I regard it as a great privilege to be given the opportunity to put myself before the people of Clare as an advocate of their interests at local, regional and national levels”.
She referenced her family’s political history. “As a member of a family that has had the honour of representing the Clare constituency in Dáil Éireann for more than 40 years, I am acutely aware of how the lives of ordinary people are influenced by Government policy in the areas of housing, education, regional development, employment, agriculture, family supports, climate change, transport and infrastructure.
“As a carer and healthcare professional, I have an upfront view of the issues and challenges facing the delivery of an efficient and effective public health service in the county and the wider region. As a former Chair of the Fine Gael national executive council, I am convinced that the issues facing people in Clare and the Mid-West require a new and more targeted approach to how politicians can make a real difference to the lives of ordinary people. I am now seeking the support of the people of Clare to help me make that difference”.
