THREE PEOPLE ARE seeking to be the Fine Gael candidate to contest the Galway West by-election for Fine Gael.

The by-election is expected to be held in May and senior sources have confirmed that Friday 22 May is earmarked for polling day.

As well as the by-election in Galway-West, there will also be a by-election in Dublin Central.

These by-elections have been sparked by Catherine Connolly, the former Galway-West TD, being elected president and by the departure of Paschal Donohoe from Irish politics to take up a prominent role in the World Bank.

The three candidates nominated by Fine Gael in Galway-West are Eoghan Gallagher, Councillor Eddie Hoare and Senator Seán Kyne.

A selection convention will take place on 22 February in the Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, where Fine Gael members will vote to choose the party’s candidate.

Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment, Peter Burke who has been appointed as Fine Gael director of elections for the Galway West by-election, said the party has “three excellent candidates”.

“I know we will have a healthy and competitive process over the coming weeks,” Burke added.

Burke said the members of Galway-West will “get behind the successful candidate when they are selected” and added that he is “looking forward to running a positive, energetic campaign that engages voters across the constituency”.

Eoghan Gallagher said he has served Fine Gael “locally, nationally and in Europe as Young Fine Gael National President, as an advisor, and as a candidate”.

“I now want to give back to our community by bringing fresh ideas and pragmatic perspectives to government policy,” he added.

Hoare said he was “greatly honoured to have received a nomination” and that his main priorities would be the “progression of key transport projects in Galway West, the promotion of and delivery of more affordable homes and the introduction of measures to address the cost-of-living challenges”.

Kyne meanwhile noted that he has “experience as a TD, minister at cabinet and presently as Leader of Seanad Éireann to work within Government and deliver for Galway West”.

He added: “I want to work to support continued investment in housing, disability services, the Galway Transportation Plan, including the Ring Road and Capital projects such as schools, childcare and roads.”