World of Politics with Harry McGee

The battle lines are almost drawn for the two Galway constituencies ahead of the general election whenever that will be held. Every single day Simon Harris is asked when the election is going to be and he says without hesitation that he would like to see the Government go its full term. That would mean an election, possibly in February, more likely in March.

Ditto Micheál Martin. He says March.

And ditto Roderic O’Gorman. Government will last its full term.

And so on. Ad infinitum.

What does that all mean?

Definitely a general election in mid November.

Well, if you want any proof of that particular pudding you can tell by the fact that we know — more or less — the full line-up of the two constituencies fully within Galway and know the shape of things to come in the misbegotten pig in the poke of a constituency, Roscommon-Galway.

Both Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael held constituency conventions over the weekend that clarified the race that lies ahead.

In Galway West, there were five people vying for two Fianna Fáil slots. One of the lucky two at least would become a TD and succeed Éamon Ó Cuív. Even when Fianna Fáil was in total meltdown it had a seat in the five-seat constituency, although some of that could be attributed to a large personal vote for the Cornamona-based politician in the Gaeltacht and north Connemara.

Most attention was focused, unsurprisingly, on the arrival of Gráinne Seoige, who added a bit of celebrity glitter to the contest. She’s from Connemara. She is a native speaker. She is a very able communicator. But she was not a politician.

But that is never an impediment. She is journeying on a well-trodden tale of household name (from either current affairs or sport) pivoting over to the world of politics. Cynthia Ní Mhurchú did it with some aplomb in the European elections. Earlier this month, Fianna Fáil added another current affairs broadcaster, Alison Comyn, to the ticket in Co Louth. With such well-known personalities, the springboard is already in place for launching a career in politics.

Seoige had to go through a selection convention. Or at least, we all thought they had to. Darragh Ó Tuairisg, who stood in the local elections, was her main rival in the west of the constituency. In the city, it looked like three well-known politicians would duke it out for the second space on the ticket. In the end, Ó Tuairisg withdrew as did Senator Ollie Crowe and Councillor Alan Cheevers. That left only two, Seoige, and John Connolly and their selection became a formality.

Pictured: Gráinne Seoige (left) and Clodagh Higgins: newcomers to their constituencies.