Jack Chambers

Well, look, obviously we're disappointed with both of the electoral results there, but we're coming at a point of weakness in both of those respective constituencies.

Dublin Central was our second worst constituency in the last general election.

Galway West was, we polled below our average results across the general election in 2024.

So I think what we had here was two new candidates.

both who were just first elected in 2024 in the local elections, who were, I suppose, building a base compared to some of the more established candidates, some of whom got elected.

For example, Seán Cain is someone who I want to congratulate Seán Cain and Daniel Ennis for running very successful campaigns and wish them well as they come into the Dáil this week.

But look, we'll reflect on that.

But I think we've used by-elections in the past as a platform of growth to

build, continue to build a party for candidates who then progress into the Dáil.

For example, take John Lahart in recent years, you know, he used it in 2014 to become a TD in 2016.

Shane Moynan in 2019, then is now a TD from 2024.

You know, these were challenging constituencies for us in the context of our base vote on a very successful day in 2024, where we came out as the largest party in the Dáil and also the largest party in local government.

Absolutely not.

I think for some people, they were voting for a more centrist proposition in the context of, you know, voting for maybe some like-minded candidates.

And, you know, I think that's, you know, we have to respect voters' use of the transferable vote.

But, you know, when it comes to both Galway West and Dublin Central, it's about strengthening the organisation, looking to the future.

In Dublin Central, we haven't had a TD since 2007.

We haven't had a councillor in the North Inner City for well over 10 years.

That should have been built on before you got to this point.

It's a weakness of organisation and I think that requires a much greater resolve from us collectively within the party as ministers, as TDs, to strengthen that organisation, work with John Stevens and the local organisation to rebuild, identify candidates early to get seats in the North Inner City.