IN A statement released this Wednesday afternoon as canvassing in the General Election comes to a climax ahead of Friday’s polling, Fianna Fail TD Willie O’Dea has denied that he asked supporters or canvassers to give Minister for Education and Labour Party TD Jan O’Sullivan a second preference vote.
Following a number of widespread media reports suggesting that Fianna Fail supporters of Deputy O’Dea were urged to give a second preference to Minister O’Sullivan, the Limerick TD said that second preference voting is a matter for each individual.
Deputy O’Dea said; “Contrary to a various media reports, I have not asked my canvassers, supporters or any member of the public to give their second preference vote to Education Minister Jan O’Sullivan. My position has always been that the second preference vote is a matter for each individual voter.
“I am only interested in maximising my vote and Fianna Fáils’ vote and ensuring I am elected to Dáil Éireann to represent the interests of Limerick and to help create a fairer Ireland than the one created by this current Government.”
