Burke to lead Fine Gael campaign in Galway West by-election

The Fine Gael backroom team to fill the seat vacated by President Catherine Connolly has been announced today. The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke, will act as the Director of Elections for the party in the upcoming Galway West by-election.

The appointment was made by Tánaiste and party leader Simon Harris and confirmed following a meeting of Fine Gael’s Executive Council on Tuesday night. The meeting agreed to open the party’s nomination process to select a candidate for the by-election.

Nominations will remain open until February 12, with a candidate selection convention scheduled to take place on February 22 at the Galway Bay Hotel in Salthill. The decision follows six consultative meetings held earlier this month with Fine Gael members and supporters across the Galway West constituency.

To be nominated, a candidate must receive the backing of two Galway West Fine Gael members, with eligible members voting at the selection convention.

Speaking as nominations opened, Minister Burke said Fine Gael is determined to win the seat at the upcoming by-election: “Our consultative meetings with members show huge enthusiasm for this by-election. The immediate job at hand is to select a candidate. We have some brilliant public representatives in Galway West and we will be running a positive, energetic campaign that engages all voters in the constituency.”

The Director of Elections for the seat vacated by President Catherine Connolly said it's an intriguing constituency: “Effective representation in Galway West depends on having government TDs who can play an active and constructive role in shaping Government policy and advocating for local priorities.

“As Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, I know the key issues facing Galway West businesses, both big and small, especially the tourism sector which plays a huge part in the Galway local economy.”

Minister Burke said the election comes at an important juncture: “With global uncertainty, we can take nothing for granted. A focus on jobs, skills and housing for people in Galway West will be central to this by-election, ensuring Galway people can live, study and find quality employment and housing locally.

“Fine Gael has a strong team across Galway, with the successful candidate aiming to join Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton in Dáil Éireann. Let’s give the region the loudest possible voice and the largest party representation.”

The Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment said the next step is choosing who will represent the party on the ballot paper: “The nomination process is now open, and members will have their say on who they want to represent them in the Dáil. Fine Gael is committed to putting forward candidates who will work hard for the constituency, and this process begins with people stepping forward, engaging with our membership over the coming weeks and putting their case forward,” Minister Burke concluded.

All nominated candidates will proceed to the selection convention, where Fine Gael members who meet the party’s membership requirements will have a vote.