17 September 1997
By Tom Kelly
Mayo Fine Gael Dail Deputy Michael Ring has dismissed claims he was disappointed not to win a place in the party's newly selected front bench.
His supporters hoped he would be appointed to the role of a senior shadow spokesman following his remarkable achievement in the General Election in topping the poll in new Mayo constituency.
Instead, he was promoted to one of the junior positions as spokesman for agriculture with responsibilities for livestock breeding and horticulture.
Said Mr. Ring: "There was no disappointment on my behalf whatsoever. I see my promotion to the role of spokesmanship as being fitting reward for my contribution after a relatively short time in the Dail.
"I was very pleased to accept the position. It showed the party recognised my determination to attract people to Fine Gael and ensure the people of Mayo are not ignored by the Fianna Fail\PD Government. I am determined to keep the pressure on the government to deliver on all the promises they made. I also want to see Mayo receive its fair share."
Mr. Ring said the new Fine Gael front bench confirmed party leader John Bruton's promise that Mayo would have had three ministers if the outgoing government had been returned in June.
Mr. Enda Kenny was appointed spokesman on arts, heritage, Gaeltacht and islands, and Mr. Jim Higgins was handed responsibility for justice, equality and law reform.
