Fine Gael selects Cllr Noel McCarthy and Mark Stanton to contest Cork East constituency in General Election

Cllr Noel McCarthy and Mark Stanton have been selected by Fine Gael to represent the party in the Cork East constituency at the next General Election.

Party members selected Cllr Noel McCarthy and Mark Stanton last night in a convention at the Carrigtwohill Community Centre which was chaired by Minister Patrick O’Donovan.

Fine Gael have now chosen 20 General Election candidates in twelve constituencies.

Cllr Noel McCarthy said, “I’m delighted to have been selected at the convention to represent Fine Gael at the next General Election.

“It is a great honour for myself, my family and my supporters and I’m looking forward to the campaign and fighting the election.

“Grassroots issues on the ground are what matter for people here – housing, health services, agriculture, road infrastructure, immigration and working with community and sporting groups. That is what concerns all here in East Cork and that’s what I’m going to be working on.

“Hopefully come the election, whenever it is called, people will consider me to be their TD. I won’t let them down and I look forward to meeting all over the coming weeks and months.”

Mark Stanton said: “I was honoured to have been selected as a Fine Gael candidate to contest the next General Election in Cork East, along with Cllr Noel McCarthy. 

“I believe that politics needs more young voices, to bring the energy and fresh perspective to the challenges we all face.

“Coming from a political household, I understand the hard work and dedication it takes to be a strong public rep. Cork East has undergone massive changes over the past 20 years, with the key to this being the train line from Cork to Midleton and Cobh, which has been transformative for the region.

“The population has expanded as a result as more and more people look to set up their lives here, and this comes with some new challenges, particularly with housing supply and increased pressure on critical infrastructure.

“This also provides great opportunity, Youghal is a town with massive potential, but needs further investment, both for the town and also the villages nearby to thrive, more investment is required into transport infrastructure across the constituency as it continues to grow.

“Storm Babet devastated the East Cork region last October, and work needs to be done to push forward flood protection measures urgently for Midleton and the villages around East Cork that were affected by the floods. 

“If elected, I will work night and day to support our farmers, fishermen, small businesses, and the thriving local tourism industry that provide jobs for people across the constituency.

“I look forward to meeting with members of the public in the coming weeks and months and hope to be their new voice for Cork East after the next election.”