Fine Gael TD for Kildare South Martin Heydon, has said that he is delighted and honoured to have been selected this week by the members of Fine Gael Kildare South to contest the next general election. The selection convention was held in the Keadeen Hotel on Tuesday night.
Speaking at the selection Convention Deputy Heydon recounted his work over the last four and half years for the people of Kildare South. Securing funding for the Athy Southern Distributor Route, working with businesses and schools in Newbridge, assisting with Leader Funding for Community Centres in Castledermot, Suncroft and Rathangan, and getting a commitment on the sale of Magree Barracks were all highlighted.
“Locally I am working passionately to improve the management structure of the magnificent Curragh Plains. A 5,000 acre amenity that lies in the heart of South Kildare. Following my recent survey of local users of the plains, which I recently presented to Minister Coveney, I am now calling for the establishment of a consultative forum to be chaired by the Dept of Defence, where those locals who use this great amenity for recreation or to explore its rich heritage can have a say in how it is managed into the future. I am meeting Dept officials later this week to pursue my proposal.
“As Chairman of Fine Gael’s internal Agriculture Committee, I’ve seen at first hand the role Agriculture has played in our national recovery. As I work with Simon Coveney in drafting the Fine Gael manifesto on Agriculture I see the huge opportunities for rural areas of Kildare.
“I believe I have the passion, the drive and the experience to bring Kildare to the next level and I ask the members of Fine Gael Kildare South to support me to continue my work in Kildare South.
In his acceptance speech Deputy Heydon welcomed Cllr Fiona Mcloughlin Healy onto the ticket following a directive from the Fine Gael Executive Council.