Still recovering from the battering they received at the last General Election, Fianna Fail will be attempting to win back lost ground at the local and European elections which take place on Friday, 23rd May. This may seem a long way away, but with sprawling new electoral areas to cover, there's no time to lose.

In Cahir House Hotel on Saturday night, March 8th last, Fianna Fail's team were unveiled before a good sized crowd of faithful party activists. The line up includes sitting councillors, Siobhan Ambrose, Micheál Anglim and political debutant, P.J. English from Clogheen.

All 3 were introduced by M.C. Criostoir McGrath. Cllr. Ambrose spoke first, in her address she said the joint launch was a sign of unity. With 21 declared candidates she said she was taking nothing for granted but was confidently standing on her record of effective representation for the people of South Tipperary. She predicted a backlash for the coalition parties and said a more compassionate economic policy was required.

Speaking without notes, Cllr Anglim said Ireland's economic woes weren't entirely down to Fianna Fail and he said most reasonable people appreciated this. The Ardfinnan native identified the closure of post offices as being a massive blow to towns and villages and said this trend had to be reversed. He declared himself 'Fianna Fail true and true', adding that he believed the electorate would return to Fianna Fail in significant numbers come the May elections.

The final candidate to put his credentials before the gathering was P.J. English - a Clogheen based farmer and vegetable shop owner, P.J. argued that his knowledge of these professions meant he understood completely the difficulties facing family run businesses. P.J. said he was honoured to be going before the public and proud to serve the Fianna Fail cause. His uncle Christy English and the legendary Con Donovan, were the men who had inspired him over the years.

He went on to point out he was very involved with senior citizens' organisations and understood the importance of the voluntary sector. He was extremely critical of the Government's decision to remove the telephone allowance and bereavement grants.

UPBEAT MOOD

Special guest at the launch was MEP, Brian Crowley, who had a swipe at the FG/Labour coalition, targeting in particular Ministers Rabbitt and Hogan, who he said were 'no friends of the working class'. In a wide ranging address he pledged a return to core Fianna Fail values.

The mood at the meeting was upbeat and the consensus was that Fianna Fail has in place a very strong team to contest the newly formed Clonmel/Cahir Electoral Area.

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