Durkan and Scully

selected as FG candidates in Kildare North

Bernard Durkan TD

Cllr Darren Scully

Bernard Durkan TD and Cllr Darren Scully have been selected by Fine Gael to represent the party in Kildare North in the next General Election following the recent selection convention.

View photos of the Convention

Deputy Durkan, the Fine Gael Spokesperson on Communications and Natural Resources has represented Fine Gael since 1981. He is recognised at home and abroad for his contribution to the Dáil's busiest Committees and has managed to combine this level of Parliamentary activity with unparalleled commitment and personal attention to constituency work which has earned him a reputation for being direct and outspoken, while showing great care and compassion for those who seek his advice.

Cllr. Darren Scully was the Fine Gael Candidate in the Kildare North By-Election, held earlier this year, where he ran an energetic campaign and polled over 18% of the vote. He is 31 years-old and a qualified engineering surveyor and has been a member of Fine Gael since the age of 18.  He was the youngest candidate in the country in the 1994 Local Elections and was first elected in June, 2004.  He is Chairperson of the Council's Garda Liaison Committee, a member of Kildare County Council's Strategic Policy Committee and of Kildare County Council’s Environment Policy Committee.  His priorities as a Councillor include, proper infrastructure to facilitate development, more schools and recycling centres in Naas and better out-patient facilities in Co Kildare.

Cllr Scully said “I welcome the opportunity to stand as a candidate for Fine Gael in the next General Election and to represent the people of Kildare North.  Politics is about making a difference and achieving results. We have a right to good, honest, fair representation in national Government and that’s what I will give the people of North Kildare.  This constituency has been let down in terms of jobs, infrastructure and services. Kildare needs extra Gardaí on the streets and far greater resources immediately. Crime levels have soared in Kildare, and will continue to do so, until there are extra Gardaí on the beat to reflect the increased population base and the greater number of crimes being committed.”

Deputy Durkan said "Since the last General Election, the present Government set itself two targets:

(1) To hire more consultants and pay them more than any other Government since the foundation of the State
and
(2) The Government clearly set out to default on the promises it made to the Electorate before the Election"

“Under both these categories, this Government has been an outstanding success, for example, they promised 2,000 extra Gardai – they delivered 150.  They promised transparency and accountability – they amended the Freedom of Information Act, to make it more difficult to get information.  They built a Port Tunnel which was meant to improve access to the Port and alleviate traffic congestion – now they find that the tunnel is incapable of catering for all kinds of traffic – one presumes that the taller trucks will be able to park along with all the other vehicles at the M50 Toll Plaza.  They promised to deliver an efficient and cost effective health service – they employed an extra 33,000 people, abolished the Health Boards and now admit that the delivery of health services is in chaos and that consultants have been called in to oversee the work of existing consultants.  They set out to improve democracy by introducing Electronic Voting – bought and paid for an electronic voting system, a cost of almost €60 million to the taxpayer and are now no doubt waiting for the day to shock the people even further, by suggesting an alternative use.”

“This is only a small flavour of what they said and what they did.  But surely the prize must go to their efforts in the housing area, since the maximum loan available through the Local Authorities for first time home buyers in Co. Kildare has been set at €165,000.  Needless to say, there are not many records of houses being sold at that price in the past 10 years!”

Further info and contact details, for Bernard Durkan and Cllr Darren Scully