Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

My party has been in Opposition in the past and I am aware of what we can do for the people of Westmeath when we are in Government.

The recommendations of the constituency boundary commission mean I have lost 24% of my first preference vote, or 1,907 votes. My colleague, Deputy Penrose, has lost 608 votes, Deputy Paul McGrath has lost 807 votes and Senator O'Rourke has lost 104 votes. The odds seems to be stacked against me retaining my seat. There may be an uphill battle but I place the same confidence in the people at the next general election that I did on the last occasion. They responded magnificently and it is clear they made the correct decision given the investment that has come to the county. Some of this may have been on the way but, as Napoleon once said, "Do not give me good generals, give me lucky ones". I am the lucky Deputy for the county.

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