Sir, - I write to correct the factual errors in the by-election article by Ms Miriam Donohoe (Irish Times, 23 October) which claims that Michael Mulcahy's campaign in the forthcoming Dublin South Central by-election is not receiving the same support from the party "heavyweights" as the other candidates and that the appointment of a Deputy as a Director of Election has been commented on.
Firstly, regarding the backing from the party, I have to state that it has been exceptional. Most of the cabinet has been out in force to canvass the constituency, including Ministers, Mary O'Rourke David Andrews, Michael Smith, Joe Walsh, Dr. Michael Woods, Michael Martin, Dermot Ahern and John O'Donoghue. In addition most Ministers of State, and members of the Parliamentary Party and many local authority representatives and members of the organisation led by An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern TD have been active in canvassing the constituency. An Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern has used every free moment of his busy diary to canvass voters in the constituency including a door to door canvass - and not as stated in the incorrect article.
Unlike the other parties whose candidate selection may have failed to engender full support from their party, our candidate Michael Mulcahy has received enthusiastic and fulsome support. He is an experienced public representative having served the area since 1985 and unlike inexperienced candidates he knows the issues of concern in the areas and is hard working and dedicated, as was acknowledged by Ms. Donohoe in her article.
Ms. Donohoe also questions my appointment as Director of Elections. I was very honoured to have been asked to be Director Elections and being a public representative with a lot of successful experience of elections in a large Dublin constituency - most recently in the last electoral test - this position makes sense.
I'm sure that due to the funeral of our former party leader and Taoiseach, Mr Jack Lynch that it will be understandable that the party would want to pay their respects in person and attend the funeral in Cork. I remain available to provide any further information about this by-election campaign to your reporting staff. - Yours etc.,
Ivor Callely, TD, Director of Elections for Dublin South Central