Niall Blaney signals intent to contest European elections

Niall Blaney has confirmed he intends to be a candidate for next year’s European elections.

The Donegal-based Senator has revealed his intention to run as a Fianna Fáil candidate for the Midlands-North West region.

The 2024 European Parliament election is scheduled to take place next June. it seems likely that, given the Mayo-based Lisa Chambers having declared her intention to run, that Fianna Fáil will require a selection convention.

In 2019, Blaney sought a place on the Fianna Fáil ticket, but the party opted to go with Brendan Smith.

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“I have worked the ground since the last time around,” Blaney said. “I ran for convention the last time and I narrowly missed out. I intend that to be much different this time.”

The Midlands-North West constituency comprises 13 counties. Fianna Fáil has no seats at present in the area with Mairead McGuinness (Fine Gael), Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan (Independent), Matt Carthy (Sinn Féin) and Maria Walsh (Fine Gael) elected in 2019.

Despite Chambers also in the mix, Blaney believes that a one-candidate strategy would suit the party.

“We currently don’t have any MEP in the area so we are not in a position where we could see ourselves taking two seats,” he said.

“The last two times, we ran two candidates and didn’t get any seats. I would envisage that a one-candidate strategy will be the way to to. It will be up to convention. It is important that Fianna Fáil get the strategy right this time and move forward with a vision that will look after the people across the Midlands-North West constituency.

“It’s a very big constituency and, from a Fianna Fail perspective and the fact that we don’t have a seat, there is no candidate who can take a seat for granted, It needs to be worked and I have been doing that over the last number of years and been working on the ground with organisations in the 13 counties.

“I intend on being that candidate. Europe is very important to us but we aren’t getting the best out of it. Our interests in the future needs strong representation and that’s the representation I intend bringing. That work ethic is very much needed. Candidates with the will and drive are needed and that is what I will do.”

Previously, Blaney served as a TD for Donegal North-East from 2002 to 2011 and has been a Senator since 2020. He was first elected onto Donegal County Council in 1999.