Fine Gael adds two names to its general election ticket in Cork North Central

Fine Gael has selected two additional candidates to contest the next general election in the Cork North Central constituency.

The party adds city councillor Garret Kelleher and Imelda Daly to its general election ticket in the constituency alongside Minister of State at the Department of Health, sitting TD Colm Burke.

Fine Gael have now chosen 74 general election candidates in 42 constituencies.

"It’s a great honour to be asked by An Taoiseach Simon Harris to contest the upcoming general election in Cork North Central for Fine Gael,” Mr Kelleher said.

“I look forward to representing the interests of the entire constituency and to that end, I will draw upon my experience as the sitting Cathaoirleach of the Southern Regional Assembly to ensure that Cork North Central has a strong voice in Government to deliver the capital investment needed to enhance Cork’s status as the country’s second city.

“As a Ballincollig resident and a local councillor, I am acutely conscious of the opportunity that the forthcoming election presents.

“The southwestern side of our newly expanded constituency has not had a resident TD since 2011 and I look forward to taking the opportunity to redress this imbalance.” 

Congratulations to Imelda Daly and Councillor @GarretKelleher who join Minister @ColmBurkeTD to contest the General Election in Cork North Central. pic.twitter.com/EftsDZvCYt

— Fine Gael (@FineGael) October 25, 2024

Ms Daly said she was likewise “delighted and honoured” to be selected as a candidate.

“I was born and raised in Glanmire. Although I’m now a 'city' woman, I spent huge parts of my childhood and adulthood on my dad's farm.

“I've seen firsthand the love that farmers have for their animals and land, and I am fully aware of the daily struggles that farmers face.

“We need to protect their livelihoods giving them the respect they deserve as an integral part of Irish society,” she said.

A primary school teacher for more than 18 years, Ms Daly said another key priority for her if elected would be a focus on trying to secure additional investment in education, particularly in special education.

“Education is a right for all children to have regardless of ability or disability and I will fight for the children, parents, teachers, SNA's and principals of Cork North Central if elected to represent them in Dáil Eireann.” 

Ms Daly said she is also “passionate about women's health”.

“We need more female focused health care centres with more screening for conditions such as endometriosis.

“We need better post-natal care for women in Ireland with better access to post-natal health professionals,” she said.