Press Release

Date

15 April 2009

Cllr. Pádraig Doherty clears the air.

Cllr.Pádraig Doherty categorically denied rumours reported to be emanating from the Fine Gael party Campaign that he was given a choice by the Fine Gael interviewing panel to run for either Donegal County Council or Údarás na Gaeltachta. He said there was no truth in those rumours that there was a choice.

He said that the holding of interviews instead of a convention was illegal and that the constitution of the Fine Gael Party was ignored. That constitution states as follows Rule 23(1) “District Executives shall arrange conventions for the selection of candidates for election to Local Authorities in their areas.”

A new rule was proposed at the Fine Gael Ard Fheis recently. ” That a new rule 44a (xxvii) be enacted and shall read as follows ‘to determine and execute the arrangements for the selection of Dáil, European Parliament, Local Authority or Údarás na Gaeltachta elections & co option candidates following consultation with the officers of its resident district constituency executive.”

Cllr. Doherty said that he was hurt and angered by the ruling at that time and that he felt betrayed, after giving years of service on the council and on the Board of Údarás na Gaeltachta . He was not given a choice in the matter. He was told over the phone at 10.30pm that his services were no longer required and that he was not getting a nomination for the council election.

Cllr. Doherty also pointed out that Fianna Fáil have selected all candidates for the local elections by interview but they had the good grace to change their constitution first to allow for a selection process by interview. Fine Gael have followed the Fianna Fáil approach to selection by interview but forgot or ignored the issue of the party’s constitution and whether or not that constitution permitted selection by interview, which it did not.

However! Cllr. Doherty stated that he was now free from the party whip system. He was independent, and he would let the people decide. He would run as a Local Independent People’s Candidate in the Glenties Electoral Area in the local elections this year.

ENDS

Mob: 087/2598013

E mail: info@padraigdoherty.com