Fine Gael 'not ruling out’ three seats in Longford/Westmeath

With nine days left until the general election, Fine Gael believes the momentum behind its lead in the national polls could help it secure three of the four seats in the Longford/Westmeath constituency. “We wouldn't rule out that possibility, but at the moment our strong orientation is towards securing two seats,†said the party's director of elections in the constituency, John Delamere, yesterday (Tuesday). Mr Delamere said a share of over 50% of the vote was likely to be needed if Fine Gael was to secure three quotas, and he didn't believe the party's support was currently at that level. “In the last election we had 31% support, and Fianna Fail had 41%. We're probably in the early 40s at the moment but if we continue our momentum then the possibility of three seats will come into play,†he said. The party's candidates in the constituency are Athlone Senator Nicky McFadden, Mullingar councillor Peter Burke and Longford TD James Bannon. Mr Delamere stated that the party was “fairly happy†with how the campaign had gone to date. “We divided up the constituency between South Westmeath and Kilbeggan, North Westmeath and Mullingar, and Longford, and there's a very comprehensive canvass going on in all three areas,†he said.