Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak on the forthcoming by-election in the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency. I commend my party's candidate, Mr. Bobby Aylward. He is an excellent choice and will be an effective and influential representative of the people of Carlow-Kilkenny in Dáil Éireann.

The Minister and Minister of State noted that the by-election has been caused by the need to replace the former Minister, Mr. Phil Hogan, following his appointment to the office of European Commissioner. While I wish the Commissioner well in his new position, I was struck, while knocking on doors in both County Carlow and County Kilkenny, by the less than enthusiastic response and in some cases anger I encountered when I mentioned Mr. Hogan's name. When I explained that the by-election was being held to replace the former Deputy the response was such that I decided to stop referring to Mr. Hogan, lest people were to conclude that he is a member of my party and I was promoting a candidate to replace him. I learned very quickly on the doorsteps that the last thing one should do when trying to sell one's candidate is to mention the Commissioner's name. I do not want to give the Government side helpful advice but this is what people are saying on the doorsteps of the constituency.

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