Any views on what the likely candidates will be for Cork East in the GE?

[Murph]

That would make for a very interesting contest Locke and I wouldnt rule out McLellan causing a surprise in such a situation.

The chances of all those factors coming into play is romote however, though it may depend on how long more we have to wait for the big E day!

[bluestripe]

Things are getting interesting in Cork East Fine Gael. Looks like five may contest for the nominations. Bradford, Barry and O'Driscoll in the northern end and Stanton and Hegarty in the southern end. Will FG run two or three candidates? Which of the five will come through convention?

[locke]

How does the selection process work in FG? As Stanton is a sitting TD, can he automatically go on the ballot or is it a completely open vote?

I can't see any point in running two candidates in the northern end of the constituency. Unless they want to put Ned O'Keeffe under pressure in Mitchelstown/Fermoy, but with the candidate having no real prosect of taking the seat. I suppose it might suit O'Driscoll with a look at a future more serious run.

On the southern side, I could see some merit in a Youghal or Cobh based candidate, but Ladysbridge is very close to Midleton.

I guess the way I see it in summary is that Hegarty is trying to get on in place of Stanton and Barry is trying to get on in place of Bradford, but O'Driscoll's best prospect is to be a third candidate.

[Murph]

Hegarty wont pip Stanton, who is working hard and was recently promoted to Kenny's front bench.

All eyes will be on Aherns FF seat, despite him topping the poll last time out.

[Rocket Man]

Hegarty wont pip Stanton, who is working hard and was recently promoted to Kenny's front bench.

All eyes will be on Aherns FF seat, despite him topping the poll last time out.

Agreed. Stanton is safe as houses.
The situation at the northern end of the constituency is going to be very interesting though.
As I have said previously, I really think Bradford is far from guaranteed to get the nomination here.
He is fairly invisible at the moment and backed the wrong horse in the recent debacle.
Watch out for O'Driscoll from Fermoy. He could put up a very credible challenge.

[CORKBLUE]

How does the selection process work in FG? As Stanton is a sitting TD, can he automatically go on the ballot or is it a completely open vote?

I can't see any point in running two candidates in the northern end of the constituency. Unless they want to put Ned O'Keeffe under pressure in Mitchelstown/Fermoy, but with the candidate having no real prosect of taking the seat. I suppose it might suit O'Driscoll with a look at a future more serious run.

On the southern side, I could see some merit in a Youghal or Cobh based candidate, but Ladysbridge is very close to Midleton.

I guess the way I see it in summary is that Hegarty is trying to get on in place of Stanton and Barry is trying to get on in place of Bradford, but O'Driscoll's best prospect is to be a third candidate.

NO ONE CAN GO STRAIGHT ON TICKET, ALL MUST BE VOTED ON AT CONVENTION. ALL MEMBERS OF TWO YEARS STANDING CAN ATTEND AND VOTE. EACH NOMINEE MUST HAVE AT LEAST TWO UNITS ie BRANCHES OR DISTRICT EXECUTIVES, SUPPORTING THEIR NOMINATIONS. NATIONAL EXECUTIVE ISSUES A DIRECTIVE TO THE CONVENTION, NO OF CANDIDATES TO BE SELECTED. LOCATIONS OF CANDIDATES ETC

[RepublicanSocialist1798]

NO ONE CAN GO STRAIGHT ON TICKET, ALL MUST BE VOTED ON AT CONVENTION. ALL MEMBERS OF TWO YEARS STANDING CAN ATTEND AND VOTE. EACH NOMINEE MUST HAVE AT LEAST TWO UNITS ie BRANCHES OR DISTRICT EXECUTIVES, SUPPORTING THEIR NOMINATIONS. NATIONAL EXECUTIVE ISSUES A DIRECTIVE TO THE CONVENTION, NO OF CANDIDATES TO BE SELECTED. LOCATIONS OF CANDIDATES ETC

Please don't shout.

[jackryan]

Bradford has had plenty of chances to be elected so his place on the ticket might be coming to an end?

[CORKBLUE]

Please don't shout.

Sorry, didnt mean to shout

[RepublicanSocialist1798]

Sorry, didnt mean to shout

Ta se ceart go leor. Ná hAbair É.