Buttimer commits to contesting next general election in Cork South Central

Fine Gael TD, Jerry Buttimer, has confirmed that he will contest the next General Election in the Cork South Central constituency.

“The Constituency Commission Report recommended significant changes to Cork South Central. Since the publication of the report I have carefully considered its impact. I can confirm that it is my intention to continue my on-going commitment to the people of Cork South Central and to contest the next General Election as a Fine Gael candidate in Cork South Central constituency.

“In seventeen months as a TD, and as chairman of the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, I have worked on important local and national issues. I have led the Committee’s work on alcohol misuse and on the early stages of developing legislation to put child protection guidelines on a statutory footing. I will continue to work on local and national issues in the interests of the people of Cork South Central and the wider public.

“At the 2011 General Election, Fine Gael won two of the first four seats in Cork South Central. I believe that the delivery of commitments in our Programme for Government and our strong team in Cork South Central will ensure that we retain two seats in the constituency at the next General Election.

“While the changes set out in the Commission’s report make it more difficult for candidates, it is a sign that our Government is delivering on political reform. When implemented, the changes of the Constituency Commission will deliver on a commitment in the Programme for Government to reduce the number of TDs. This is just one element of a series of reform measures which will also see the number of local authorities reduced across the country and a referendum being put to the electorate on the future of the Seanad.”