"Depth of feeling" led to four-candidate Fine Gael ticket

The depth of feeling locally led to the Fine Gael party opting to run four candidates in the field, according to party leader Enda Kenny. 'There are always healthy tensions and competition and that was exemplified here in Athlone as well. And when people felt the depth of feeling and with the strength of the argument being made by local supporters of the party and party activists, we felt we were quite happy to stand four candidates,' Deputy Kenny told the Westmeath Independent. Fine Gael is running sitting councillors Mark Cooney, John Dolan and Joe Whelan and new candidate Gabrielle McFadden in the Athlone Area of the county council. He added that competition would be tight in the new six-seater constituency and as a result the party would ensure every household in the area wouldbe canvassed before June 5. 'It"s a very strong team, it"s a very well balanced team, both men and women, and we think we have every chance,' he said. In relation to Athlone Town Council, where the party is running four candidates - Cllrs Mark Cooney and Mick O"Connell and new candidates Gabrielle McFadden and Alan Shaw - Deputy Kenny said the party was optimistic about getting an extra seat. 'We hope to make a gain on Athlone Town Council, and no more than any other candidates around the country, we"ve got to get out and canvass the entire place and tell them what it is that we are actually selling here, which is an agenda for change and a plan to get the country working,' he said. Commenting on proposals from Athlone Town Councillor Mick O"Connell and South Roscommon Councillor John Naughten to work together across county boundaries, Deputy Kenny said: 'With Mick O"Connell and John Naughten in the two counties, of course they should work together and the more co-operation there is, the better for all concerned and for the local economy.' He added that the Fine Gael party would like to see the role and functions of county councillors across the country expanded. 'We"d actually like to see county councils rebalanced to extend the influence of elected councillors as against the executive. In other people say councillors have no function, no authority, we"d like to see that rebalanced. They have a function and they have a really important role in determining what the county development plan is,' he said.