By-election battles intensify

Canvassing has been difficult as houses in the sprawling estates have been empty by day and candidates have had to be creative like leafleting rows of motorists in tailback queues.

“People don’t want to see you during the week. They’re exhausted after work and just want to spent time with their kids before they put them to bed,” said Fine Gael candidate Shane McEntee.

Nobber-based publican, Mr McEntee claims to have been the first candidate on the hustings – he did a county-wide leaflet drop on December 26 – six weeks before the March 11 polling date was announced.

On the canvass in a cul-de-sac in Kentstown near Navan, he casually chats to passers-by and is well known by locals from his GAA connections.

The sprawling Meath constituency is four times larger in area than Kildare North and stretches from Nobber in the north to commuter town Enfield in the south, Bettystown on the Irish Sea and Oldcastle to the west.

Because of the mushrooming population – it jumped from 109,000 to 134,000 at the last census – the existing five-seater will break into two constituencies in 2007.

It’s Fianna Fáil heartland all around with three sitting TDs: Noel Dempsey, Mary Wallace and Johnny Brady all anxious to protect their patch.

The party secured 45% of the vote during the 2002 general election but lost 7% to Sinn Féin in June’s disastrous local elections.

Most of the candidates come from Navan, the largest town: Fianna Fáil’s Shane Cassells, Joe Reilly of Sinn Féin and Fergal O’Byrne of the Greens.

Dominic Hannigan of Labour and Sirena Campbell of the Progressive Democrats are from both the east coast area around Bettystown.

Local issues raised on the doorsteps have been dominated by schools and traffic – like the new M3 motorway which skirts controversially close to the Hill of Tara.

Commuters also want the rail line extended as far as Navan to improve public transport into the capital.

In Laytown, 178 four-year-olds are competing for just 58 local school places in September.

Kildare North has been part of the Dublin commuter belt since the early 1990s and former towns like Celbridge, Naas, Maynooth and Leixlip have become virtual city suburbs in recent years.

Population sprawl has swelled the total electorate from 60,000 for the 2002 General Election to over 85,000 now.

The contest will be crucial for Labour leader Pat Rabbitte as his party came second in the 2002 general election with 21% and 19% in last June’s local elections.

Councillor Paddy MacNamara is well know within the constituency but will face intense competition from bookies’ favourite, independent Councillor Catherine Murphy.

Leixlip-based Cllr Murphy, a veteran of three general elections, said: “I’m getting a lot of promises on the doorsteps and it’s keeping me motivated. I think I will surprise a lot of people.”

Fianna Fáil candidate Áine Brady has Cabinet ministers and Government TDs and senators joining her on the canvass on a daily basis.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern boosted the campaign last week when he dropped into Naas for an hour and did a walkabout of supermarkets and school yards.

A sister of Government Chief Whip, Tom Kitt, the teacher said: “I’m getting a lot of support because voters feel a Government TD can achieve a lot more for the constituency than perhaps those sitting in the opposition benches.”

Senator Kate Walsh of the Progressive Democrats is certain to improve on her 12% support in 2002 General Election.

The Greens are strongest in this constituency with Councillor JJ Power hoping to build on the party’s 6% support in 2002.

Cllr Power also has political pedigree as he is a son of the former Fianna Fáil minister Paddy Power and a brother of current Fianna Fáil junior Health Minister, Sean Power.

But despite all the posters and flyers, candidates know that getting face to face with as many voters in these crucial final days could be the difference between victory and defeat in the by-elections.