The Candidates: The Rest
Tom Doyle IND
Independent election candidate Tom Doyle decided to 'go it alone' after failing to be nominated as a Fine Gael candidate at the party's selection convention.
That convention elected Richard Daly of Athy, and Alan Gillis was subsequently added to the ticket by FG head office.
Tom Doyle has been in Newbridge since he went to Newbridge College at the age of 12. He expects to attract support from all sides in Newbridge and believes that the balance of power may be held by Independents and small parties after the election.
His key platform topics include more and sustainable jobs closer to people's homes, more teachers and schools, and a new medical facility for Kildare South.
He is also concerned about security, a fairer tax system, and improved transport infrastructure. He also wants measures from central government to help integrate the ever-expanding immigrant population in the constituency.
NOTE: Due to the late entry of Tom Doyle, it wasn't possible for the Diary to arrange a full interview as we have done with other candidates. The above is taken from his election literature and local newspaper reports.
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Sean O Fearghaill FF
Sean O Fearghaill was elected to Dáil Éireann in May 2002 after contesting several previous elections and being narrowly defeated in the 1997 election. He was elected to the Agricultural Panel of Seanad Eireann in June 2000.
He has been a member of Kildare County Council since 1985, where he is leader of the Fianna Fail group. He is also a member of the South Western Area Health Board Childcare Advisory Committee as well as a member of the Eastern Regional Health Authority. He also serves as Chairman of the County Kildare Strategic Policy Committee on Housing and Social Integration, and is a member of the Kildare County Development Board.
Sean is married to Mary Clare and they have four children, Aoife, Caoimhe, Eoghan and Nessa.
NOTE: The above is taken from the Fianna Fail Website, as Deputy O Fearghail didn't respond to an invitation to be interviewed by the Diary.
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Sean Power FF
The Minister of State for Health and Children and TD for Kildare South, Sean Power was first elected to Dáil Éireann 1989 and at each subsequent Election.
He is a former Chairman of the Committee on the Environment and Local Government and a former member of Kildare County Council.
He has also served as Assistant Government Whip.
A son of Paddy Power, TD for Kildare 1969-89, Minister for Defence 1982, Fisheries and Forestry 1979-81 and MEP 1977-79, he is married to Deirdre Malone, and they have three sons and one daughter.
NOTE: The above is taken from the Fianna Fail Website, as Minister Power didn't respond to an invitation to be interviewed by the Diary.
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Alan Gillis FG
Fine Gael Kildare South General Election candidate Alan Gillis represented Fine Gael at the European Parliament as the MEP for Leinster (1994-1999) and was President of the Irish Farmers Association from 1990-1994. In 1999, Alan joined the Board of Management at Tallaght Hospital and has been its Chairman since 2002.
"I'm delighted that I have been added to the Fine Gael team, along with my colleague, Cllr Richard Daly, to represent the people of Kildare South," he says. "We will be working together during the election campaign to show how we'll tackle the short and long-term challenges facing Kildare."
"It's time for a change of Government. The Fine Gael team in Kildare South has both the knowledge and experience to change things for the better."
1999-2002 Chairman of European Movement Ireland
1994 -1999 Fine Gael MEP for Constituency of Leinster
(The highest attending Irish M.E.P. 1994-1999)
Irish Member of The Committee of Inquiry into BSE
Member of E.P. Agriculture Committee
Vice President of the African-Carribean-Pacific Development Assembly
Member of the E.P. Development Committee
1990-1994 President of the Irish Farmers' Association
Awarded the prestigious Legion D'Honneur by the French
Government for service to European Agriculture
1992-1994 Senior Vice President of COPA
(European Farmers' Organisation)
1986-1990 Deputy President of I.F.A.
1982-1986 Chairman of National Liquid Milk Group
Chairman of Advisory Council on Animal Health
and Disease Eradication
Member of Board of The National Enterprise Agency
1978-1983 Chairman of Leinster Milk Producers
1976-1984 Chairman of IFA National Animal Health Committee
1967-1970 Chairman of Kildare Co. Executive of IFA
NOTE: The above is taken from the Fine Gael Website, as Mr Gillis didn't respond to an invitation to be interviewed by the Diary.
Brian Byrne.
