PAUL SOMMERVILLE, a former employee of financial spread-betting operation Delta Index, has said he will contest the general election as an Independent candidate in Dublin South East.
Mr Sommerville (43), who has worked in financial markets in London and Tokyo, said the next Dáil needed people with economic expertise and that he intended to focus on national issues if elected.
“I really think there’s going to be a rump of really dynamic figures who are going to be able to form an alliance . . . we need more Independents and people of expertise in the Dáil,” he said. Mr Sommerville urged other “independent thinkers” to contest. “I particularly urge David McWilliams to run for election.” He added: “We don’t want to fill the Dáil with economists, we want to fill the Dáil with energetic people who are passionate about Ireland.”
Fianna Fáil’s Dublin South selection convention takes place this evening in the Goat pub in Goatstown. Sitting TD Tom Kitt is stepping down and when nominations closed last month, Senator Maria Corrigan was the only nominee.
Minister for Tourism Mary Hanafin and Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews have both ruled out moving from their Dún Laoghaire constituency to contest the election in Dublin South, as has Minister of State Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West).
Seanad leader Donie Cassidy appeared to hint in the chamber on Tuesday that “a fourth Senator” could contest the constituency, along with Ms Corrigan; Alex White (Labour) and Shane Ross (Ind), who recently announced he would run.
“I join Senator [David] Norris in congratulating Senator Ross on his endeavours in Dublin South . . . I understand a fourth Senator will make a similar announcement in the near future,” Mr Cassidy said.
