Mayo Sinn Féin Senator Rose Conway-Walsh has welcomed the calling of the General Election for Saturday, February 8, saying now is the time for Mayo people to vote for the change that’s needed to give workers and families a break in the county.

Senator Conway-Walsh said: "Now is the time to stand up for ordinary people and deliver for local communities. For over ten years now, I think people in Mayo know they can trust me to work hard on their behalf and to fight for the things that really matter to them. They know they can count on me to put Mayo First and speak and work fearlessly with honesty and integrity.

"My priorities for Mayo are to ensure everyone can access proper healthcare when they need it regardless of their income and to deliver physical and telecommunications infrastructure to create jobs and support enterprise.

"I will continue to be a relentless defender of farmers and fight for fairness in pricing and payments.

"Now is not the time to maintain the status quo, this is a time for change, this is about a bright new future. I - with Sinn Féin - will do things differently and deliver real change."