Rea withdraws from Tipperary by-election

The Tipperary South by-election will have just four contenders after the former IFA president, Mr Joe Rea, announced yesterday he would not be standing.

However, Mr Rea has not ruled out the possibility of contesting the next general election in the same constituency if concerns over a planned motorway are not addressed.

The N8 Action Group (NAG), which he chairs, says it has received a "very positive" response to issues raised with the three main political parties. The group opposes the building of a new motorway through south Tipperary and wants the existing N8 (Dublin-Cork) road upgraded instead.

Fianna Fail and Fine Gael said they would support an examination of the issue by an Oireachtas committee, while Labour said an upgrading of the existing N8 should be considered by the National Roads Authority (NRA).

"These replies now open the way for a major review of the N8 project. The NRA must now put all plans on hold pending the outcome of a Dail inquiry as proposed by Fianna Fail and Fine Gael," Mr Rea said.

In a letter to Mr Rea, the Fianna Fail director of elections, Mr Brian Lenihan TD, said the development of a rapid inter-city link between Dublin and Cork was Government policy and was supported by the social partners. Fianna Fail, however, recognised local dissatisfaction.

The Fine Gael director of elections, Mr Charles Flanagan TD, also said his party supported the National Development Plan proposals for road-building. However, it was concerned at the lack of local consultation and "we accept the fact that there is a gross democratic deficit in the public consultation process".

The Labour Party leader, Mr Ruairi Quinn, who met NAG representatives on Monday, said he was concerned the group had not received information it had sought or been given the opportunity to meet the NRA.

The candidates in the Tipperary South by-election on June 30th are: Mr Michael Maguire (FF), Mr Tom Hayes (FG), Mr Denis Landy (Lab) and Ms Phil Prendergast (Ind)