Cavan-based political analyst, Sean McKiernan, has said the main political parties in the newly-formed Midlands-North West constituency have a lot to consider ahead of next June's European elections.
His analysis on the Joe Finnegan Show during the week followed the announcement by the Electoral Commission that the midlands/north west constituency will gain a seat and will now include Laois and Offaly from the south constituency. This increases the constituency from a four to five-seater. During the week, Fine Gael's Mairead McGuinness confirmed she wouldn't be
standing. Sean McKiernan said following Fine Gael's "strongest vote" getting 5 out of 13 seats in the last European elections, the party has the most to prove this time around. With regards to Fianna Fáil, the commentator said Lisa Chambers is at an advantage living in Galway, being from Mayo and being female, while Barry Cowan could capitalise on the fact that his surname has been somewhat "rehabilitated" in recent years.
Mr McKiernan agreed that "name recognition is key" for Sinn Féin who are targetting two seats. He said candidate Chris McManus has this challenge ahead of him:
