Split in tactics sees Labour TD bow out
By Mary Dennehy
LABOUR Party TD Eamonn Maloney is not running in the upcoming General Election, after a difference of opinion saw the veteran politician unexpectedly withdraw his nomination shortly before the selection convention on Tuesday.
The Dublin South West Labour Party convention was held in Tallaght on Tuesday evening, after which it was confirmed that Deputy Eamonn Maloney had withdrawn his nomination from the race – despite stressing his intention to run in an Echo interview in June.
Speaking with The Echo this week, Deputy Maloney confirmed his decision to bow out of the election race, due to his opinion that the Labour Party should run only one candidate in Dublin South West.
Deputy Maloney said: “I had argued over the past three weeks that the party should run only one candidate in Dublin South West. I believe, taking into consideration the current climate, that it is a big risk running two candidates.
“I believe that running two candidates is high risk and instead of splitting the votes, and maybe securing no seats, we’d be better off running one candidate and increasing the party’s chances of securing one seat.”
Labour currently holds two seats in the four-seat constituency of Dublin South West, long-serving politician Pat Rabbitte TD and Deputy Maloney – neither of whom will be running in the upcoming General Election.
Deputy Maloney said: “The party did not take my recommendation on board.
“Many of the members were divided on this issue, with many feeling the same way as I did, but a decision was made to run with two candidates.
“I couldn’t contradict everything that I had said over the past three weeks, it would have been inconsistent for me to run in a team of two – so, I withdrew.
“I genuinely believe there is a risk that Labour will not win any seats running two candidates and I didn’t want to be party to that.
“It was a difficult decision and it was always my intention to run . However, I had very little choice but to do a u-turn on my decision.”
Labour councillor Pamela Kearns and councillor Mick Duff were chosen to run for Labour in Dublin South West, which, due to boundary changes and an increase in constituents, will become a five-seater for the General Election 2016.
Wishing Cllr Kearns and Cllr Duff all the best, Deputy Maloney said: “I would like to thank the people of Dublin South West for electing me to Dáil Eireann in 2011.
“It has been a privilege to serve as a representative for our community.
“As of yet I haven’t considered what the future holds for me, I haven’t given any thought to anything else at this early stage.”
