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Attending the Tralee Chamber Alliance election breakfast meeting in the Manor West Hotel on Thursday were Kerry candidates, standing from left; Arthur Spring (Labour), Brendan Griffin (Fine Gael), John Brassil (Fianna Fáil), Donal Corcoran (Renua), Michael Fitzgerald (Green Party) with CEO of Tralee Chamber Alliance, Kieran Ruttledge. Front from left; Michael Healy Rae (Ind), Norma Moriarty (Fianna Fáil), Minister Jimmy Deenihan (Fine Gael) and MC for the event and President of Tralee Chamber of Commerce, John Drummey. Photo by Dermot Crean
IF the election went by the votes cast by those present at a Tralee Chamber Alliance event this morning, Arthur Spring wouldn’t have much to worry about in two weeks time.
Many of Kerry’s candidates in the forthcoming General Election gave their views on a number of local and national issues at a special event in the Manor West Hotel on Thursday morning.
Organised by Tralee Chamber Alliance and supported by AIB, the breakfast event allowed business people in town to put a series of questions to the candidates and to give their own votes by secret ballot as to who they want to be elected in Kerry in two weeks time.
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MC John Drummey went around to the tables where candidates were asked about the primary issues of jobs in town, vacant premises, the reduction of the 23% VAT rate, funding for tourism, broadband, support for local entrepreneurs and much more.
In a lighter moment, each candidate present was asked if they had to vote for another candidate in Kerry, outside of themselves or their own party, who would they give their No.1 to.
Mike Moriarty, Il Forno Restaurant, Bláithín McElligott, Bus Éireann and Michael Fitzgerald, Green Party candidate at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
Fianna Fail’s John Brassil, after much hesitation, said he’d probably vote for “my cousin”, Labour TD Arthur Spring. His party colleague Norma Moriarty said the same.
Michael Fitzgerald of the Green Party plumped for Donal Corcoran of Renua who duly returned the favour. Fine Gael’s Brendan Griffin and Jimmy Deenihan opted for their coalition partner Arthur Spring, who in turn said he’d opt for one of the Fine Gael candidates.
This was picked up on by Michael Healy Rae who said: “Well if there’s one thing we’ve learnt this morning, it’s that Arthur Spring is going to head the poll!”
The south Kerry man said he’d give the vote to Sinn Féin’s Martin Ferris.
At the end of the meeting the results of the secret ballot were given and saw local man Arthur Spring in first, Minister Deenihan in second, John Brassil on third, Michael Healy Rae in fourth, while fifth was Brendan Griffin.
Scroll down for photos…
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Kevin O’Connor, The Ashe Hotel, Derek Rusk, Manor West Hotel, Mark Teahon, Tralee Printing Work and Breda Walsh, Tralee Chamber Alliance kiosk volunteer at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
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John Reen, Murphy Sheehy Insurance, Seamus Cotter, Peevers Slye Cotter and Martin Hartnett, Connollys Jewellers at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
Louise Cassidy, AIB, Eleanor Cassidy and Bridget O’Connell, Tralee Chamber Alliance at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
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Cllr Sam Locke, Breda Hurley, ABC Cleaning, Tina Diggin, Tralee International Resource Centre, Tina Kastrati, Tralee Chamber Alliance and Edel Connolly, Tralee Chamber Alliance, and Deputy Michael Healy Rae at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
Cllr John Brassil with Roger Harty, Harty Opticians at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
Shane Walsh JRI America and Padraig McGillycuddy of Ballygarry House Hotel at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
Arthur Spring gives his view at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
Brendan Griffin answers a question at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
Donal Corcoran of Renua at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
John Drummey interviews Michael Fitzgerald of the Green Party at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
John Brassil ponders a question at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
The turnout at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
Kieran Ruttledge addresses those present at the Tralee Chamber Alliance/AIB election breakfast in the Manor West Hotel. Photo by Dermot Crean
