Fitzmaurice ends speculation and will contest Roscommon-Galway

Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice has announced he will seek re-election for Independent Ireland in the Roscommon-Galway constituency.

Much of Fitzmaurice's Galway base will be in the Galway East constituency, leading to speculation he might opt to run there instead.

Fitzmaurice, who first secured his Dáil seat in the 2014 Roscommon-South Leitrim by-election, this morning confirmed he would run in Roscommon-Galway and stressed his resolve to deliver for Rural Ireland.

Councillor Declan Geraghty, meanwhile, will run for Independent Ireland in Galway East. A Williamstown native with deep business roots across Galway, Geraghty’s local connections and understanding of Galway East’s challenges "make him an ideal candidate to represent the constituency’s diverse needs", Independent Ireland said.

Fitzmaurice said: “I’m not running from a challenge. I’m standing by the people who stood by me over the past ten years,” he said. “From Roscommon to Galway, and South Leitrim before that, the support I’ve received has been nothing short of humbling. I have worked hard to deliver for these communities and will continue to do so, whatever the result.”

This decision to stay in Roscommon-Galway is undoubtedly a significant political gamble. Yet, for Deputy Fitzmaurice, it’s one worth taking, as he remains focused on his mission to champion rural issues and ensure that Roscommon-Galway has a genuine voice in Leinster House.

Fitzmaurice pointed to his track record as a fierce advocate for farmers and rural communities. “From the outset, my work has been about giving a voice to Rural Ireland — whether that’s the farmer in Roscommon or Galway or any part of Ireland, the small business owner , or the hard-working families in every town and village in between. I’ve fought for them since 2014, and I’m not stopping now,” he said.

Under the Independent Ireland banner, Fitzmaurice is confident that Roscommon-Galway and Galway East can secure representation that will truly work for rural interests in Leinster House.

Fitzmaurice said he would consider being part of Government, but wouldn't if the formula was not right.

“While I know the prevailing notion among many of my critics is that I’ve been to the Government negotiation talks on two occasions and failed to make it into Government, but the fact of the matter is that Independent Ireland is party with policies on every pillar issue from agriculture to housing and crime to rural development.

“As a sitting TD for the Party and spokesperson on Agriculture, if I am lucky enough to be re-elected by the people of Roscommon-Galway, I have every intention of going into Government - provided our policies are adopted by coalition partners.

“There is a real opportunity now for Rural Ireland and in particular the West of Ireland, to send a team to Dáil Éireann who will put their interests first and prioritise tackling the challenges facing rural regions head-on.”