BY HARRYWALSH
FINE Gael Deputy Dinny McGinley is expected to run in the next general election. His re-entry to the race for a seat in Donegal South West comes eight months after announcing his decision to retire from politics.
Party leader Enda Kenny and other senior party figures have held a series of talks with Deputy McGinley who cut short a trip to Zurich to attend the Gaoth Dobhair GAA club annual dinner dance on Saturday night. A rercent internal poll but support for his rerplacement, Cllr Terence Slowey at just 7 per cent.
Should Deputy McGinley allow his name to go forward it would be a huge boost to the party who face a battle to hold onto its seat in the next election. Agriculture Minister Mary Coughlan and Junior Transport Minister Pat The Cope Gallagher are the other TDs in the three-seat constituency while Sinn Fein Cllr Pearse Doherty, who polled well in the last local and European elections is also fighting for a seat.
Speaking to the Donegal News last evening, Deputy McGinley declined to comment on growing speculation that he is now strongly considering a re-entry to the race. A 'yes' by McGinley would be bad news for the councillor who had hoped to step into the Fine Gael seat, Terence Slowey, Ardara, but it is understood that he is also in on the negotiations. He was unavailable for comment. Sources ruled out the possibility of both candidates standing since they are too close to each other geographically. A candidate in the Finn Valley area is the preferred option.
"Ideally, Fine Gael would like everyone to unite behind one candidate - Dinny McGinley. How such a decision would sit with Cllr Slowey is not clear but what we do know is that internal polls do not bode well," one well placed source said.
It is understood that Cllr Slowey has been asked to step aside for the 'good of the party'.
"At this present moment in time I would say that it's seventy per cent in favour of Dinny allowing his name to go forward. One thing for certain - a decision will be made one way
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