Reflections On Constituency Changes

The above constituency revision represents a substantial change to the traditional constituency names and alignments we are familiar with for many decades. I share the regret of many that parts of Limerick West will not be included in the new Limerick Constituency. I am most thankful to the people of this area for electing me to the Dáil at my first attempt in the last general election with such great support. It was the home base of my grandfather and later that of my uncles, Gerard and Michael who received such wonderful support, a support that is unparalleled. The West Limerick constituency has a great record in the history of Fianna Fáil. It has been the highest constituency for the Fianna Fáil church gate collection continuously since 1948, Abbeyfeale has been the highest Cumann nationally in the collection. It has elected two Fianna Fáil TDs in 17 of the 18 elections since the constituency was created in 1948. I hope this success will continue into the future.

While it will be my first time contesting a general election in areas that formerly formed part of Limerick East, I am mindful of many great party people who served this area before me.  In recent times, Willie O Dea has been an electoral phenomenon due to his diligent hard work and service to rural Limerick East and to the country as a cabinet minister. Willie, whose family are from Kilteely, will no doubt be greatly missed in these areas as indeed will his constituency colleague, Deputy Peter Power. Both Willie O Dea and Peter Power will be contesting the new Limerick City constituency at the next general election and I wish them well. I am thankful to them for their efforts at introducing me to so many people in my new area and assisting me in every way possible.

In the not too distant past, these rural Limerick East areas were represented by the late great Donagh O Malley who will always be remembered for having pioneered free second level education while he was Minister for Education in Sean Lemass’s innovative government in the 1960s. This paid dividends in future years and is one of our country’s great success stories. He put our Republic of Ireland on the map as a country with the best educated workforce in the world. His nephew Des O Malley became a Cabinet Minister for the first time on the same day as my uncle Gerard in 1970 providing strong representation at cabinet level for the people of Limerick.

It would be a great honour to be elected by the people of the Limerick Constituency and if re elected to the Dáil, I will do my very best to provide strong representation for the new Limerick constituency.

The Limerick Constituency consists of the following County Limerick areas:

Adare, Angelsboro, Ardpatrick, Askeaton, Athlacca, Ballingarry,Ballybrown, Ballybricken, Ballylanders, Broadford, Bruff,  Bruree, Caherconlish, Cappagh, Cappamore, Castlemahon, Clarina, Crecora, Croagh, Croom, Doon,  Dromcollagher, Feenagh, Feohanagh, Foynes, Galbally, Garryspillane, Herbertstown, Hospital, Kilbeheny, Kilcornan, Kildimo, Kilfinnane, Killeedy, Kilmallock, Kilmeedy, Kilteely, Knockaderry, Knocklong, Murroe, Newcastle West, Oola, Pallasgreen, Pallaskenry, Patrickswell, Rathkeale, Shanagolden,

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