Labour's Willie Penrose decides to run again

Deputy Willie Penrose has confirmed that he is to let his name go forward as a candidate to represent Labour in the general election taking place next year.

“I met all my family this weekend and discussed it, so I will allow my name go forward,” he said.

It is believed he is the only person seeking the Labour nomination in the Longford/Westmeath constituency, and the convention is to take place tonight, Tuesday, at Milltown Community Hall at 8pm.

“It will be a tough battle,” said the Ballynacargy man, admitting that there is a swing against Labour.

However, he says, the electorate will decide.

“I have served people as a deputy for over 23 years, and if you count from when I went on the county council, it’ll be 32 years next year, and if people think that I’m good enough to continue then I will continue to serve for the next term in the Dáil.”

Something that surprised him is the number of older people – many who would not normally be Labour supporters – who contacted him to encourage him to run again.

“I’m quite happy to let the people decide, and if I get elected, it will be great: I will be glad to serve to the best of my ability.”

History

Today, Tuesday, history is made when the bankruptcy bill proposed by Deputy Penrose, a qualified barrister, goes through all final stages, to see the term of bankruptcy reduced to one year. It is one of only a handful of bills ever to have been proposed by a backbench TD to change the law of the land.

Deputy Penrose is also about to propose a bill requiring radio stations to ensure that 40 per cent of the music they play is by Irish artists.

Declared candidates to date for Westmeath: Deputy Robert Troy and Connie Gerety-Quinn (Fianna Fáil), Cllr Peter Burke, Deputy James Bannon and Deputy Gabrielle McFadden (Fine Gael), Cllr Paul Hogan (Sinn Féin), Cllr Kevin Boxer Moran (Ind), Barbara Smyth, (Independent candidate for Right2Change).

* This story was amended on Tuesday December 15 to add the name, Barbara Smyth, the Independent candidate for Right2Change.

* This story was amended on Tuesday December 15 to add the name, James Morgan, Independent Alliance candidate, from Longford.