Senator Rose Conway-Walsh. Photo: Alison Laredo.

Rose Conway-Walsh selected as Mayo Sinn Féin general election candidate

SENATOR Rose Conway-Walsh has been selected as the sole Sinn Féin candidate to run on the ticket for the next general election in the four-seat Mayo constituency.

She was selected at the convention last night in the Gateway Hotel, Swinford, after being proposed by Councillor Gerry Murray and seconded by Bríd Ní Sheighin. Rose, who registered 6,414 first preferences votes in the 2016 general election, received unanimous backing from the large crowd in attendance.

Speaking at the convention, the Erris-based representative said: “It has been a privilege for me to represent Sinn Féin as an activist, as a county councillor, in the EU and in the Seanad. It has been a challenging but enjoyable journey which has allowed me to fight for issues, people and communities I deeply care about.

“I would love the opportunity to serve the people of Mayo in the Dáil. I am indebted to all those who have voted for me in previous elections and to the members of Mayo Sinn Féin for continuing to put their trust in me.”

“We cannot be successful as a nation without a vibrant rural economy. National growth without regional growth is just not sustainable.’

‘The economic policies of Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have driven generations out of rural Ireland, closed down businesses and left us without vital services and infrastructure.

“We need equality of opportunity. What we don’t need is a minister of ‘small bits of money’ and a plan with two hundred and seventy something priorities and a five million euro spinning machine which tries to give the illusion of additional investment by moving ever diminishing resources from one scheme to another.

“Sinn Fein will prioritise entrepreneurship and technology infrastructure as well as agriculture, fishing and tourism. Under Sinn Féin the LEADER programme will be returned to local communities.

“Sinn Féin will deliver a new deal for the west and a new deal for rural Ireland. That includes rural equality legislation to ensure all decisions will be rural proofed ending discrimination against rural areas.’

“I want to make Mayo and the west the e-commerce focal point of Ireland. We know that advances in technology means geography need not be a barrier to growing a very successful business provided the infrastructure allows.’

“Sinn Fein will develop our natural resources to provide employment and benefit local communities. We can have a national health service based on need not on ability of pay or where you happen to live.

“After almost 100 years of FF and FG, we have had enough of their sentiments and platitudes. I hope the next election is the time Mayo people decide to do something different to change the direction of the county for the betterment of all of use who live here.”