Diverse Group Of Candidates Seeking Dail Places In General Election
With the General Election taking place this Friday (29th November), a diverse group of candidates will be standing for election to the 34th Dail in the Dublin South-Central constituency. With this in mind, the Fountain Resource Group – Dublin 8 Newswire profiles the candidates, some of whom will represent this four-seater constituency for the next five years:
(1) Jill Ahearne is a candidate for the Irish People Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Jill Ahearne is a 48 year-old mother. She describes herself as “an Irish patriot” and says that she is “standing up for the sovereignty of Ireland” as her main election platform.
She says that she is running for election on the twin issues of immigration and the future of Ireland’s children. She adds that the greatest issues facing the country at present are the future of Ireland’s children, immigration, healthcare and housing for Irish people.
She concludes that she will highlight these issues from her manifesto in her inaugural Dail speech, if elected.
(2) Catherine Ardagh is a candidate for the Fianna Fail Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Catherine Ardagh has been a member of Seanad Eireann since 2016 and is currently the Fianna Fail Seanad Spokesperson for Social Protection. She was previously the party’s Leader of the Seanad. She is from the Dublin South-Central constituency and practices as a solicitor in Crumlin. She ran unsuccessfully for Dail Eireann in 2016 and again in 2020.
She says that she is running for election because she is deeply committed to Dublin South-Central and its people. She wants to represent the area with a strong voice and ensure the delivery of high-quality housing, education for every child, safer streets and more.
Her list of priorities, if elected, include, housing, education, crime, cancer services, women’s health, childcare, sports facilities, pension equality and the Irish language.
She adds that the greatest issue facing the country at present is housing, which is the key issue. She explains that huge progress is being made with the construction of 52,256 homes commenced in the first ten months of 2024, but there is more to do. Fianna Fail will accelerate house building to 60,000 units per year, with a minimum of 10,000 affordable and 12,000 new social homes, annually.
She concludes that, if elected, her inaugural Dail speech will concentrate on supporting families and children with addituinal needs. She will call for better disability services, more school places and a one-stop shop for parents navigating the system, so that it works for everyone.
(3) Joan Collins is a candidate for the Right To Change Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Joan Collins has been an Independent TD for the Dublin South-Central constituency since 2011. She is a supporter of the Right To Change policy programme. A former Dublin City Councillor in the Crumlin-Kimmage area, she worked as a clerical officer in the health service, before entering politics.
She has led local and national campaigns against austerity, privatisation, bin taxes, water charges, household charges and the Bus Connects scheme.
She says that she is running for election because she is committed to tackling issues that are relevant to working-class people. These include a new economy, housing, tax justice, decent work for everyone, universal healthcare, focus on children and families and the retention of water, refuse and bus services in public ownership.
She adds that Ireland is a wealthy country, but working-class people don’t get to participate in the wealthy economy being generated. The top 1% in the country own Euros 232 billion in wealth, while the bottom 50% only own Euros 9 billion.
She concludes that, if elected, her first speech in the new Dail will concentrate on the need for change in Ireland , so that ordinary people can get their fair share. This would enable the funding of public housing, universal healthcare and the functioning public services that are needed by all.
(4) Aisling Considine is a candidate for the Aontu Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Aisling Considine is a primary school teacher from Dublin. She is a fluent Irish speaker and an active member of the Irish National Teacher’s Organisation. She prioritises tackling anti-social behaviour and increasing the number of Gardai on the streets.
She says that she is running for election to promote the policies of her party, namely, challenging the billions of euro of government waste, organising opposition to the damage and waste of the current government, listening to the people, promoting common sense and tabling detailed, costed solutions to the housing, immigration, cost of living, health and farming crises.
(5) Patrick Costello is a candidate for the Green Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Patrick Costello has been a Green Party TD for the Dublin South-Central constituency since 2020 and is currently the Green Party Spokesperson for Justice. Before entering politics, he was a social worker, specialising in Child Protection and Mental Health. He was a Dublin City Councillor between 2014 and 2020.
He says that he is running for election because for the last four and a half years, he has been a progressive green voice for the people of Dublin South-Central. He wants to continue the progress that his party has made in tackling climate change and social justice issues, as part of the just transition. He believes that he is the only candidate in the constituency that can deliver, both for the environment and the people.
He adds that the greatest issue facing the country at the moment is climate change, which is the fundamental existential crisis we must face. However, in tackling this issue, we can and must decide to tackle social inequality, at the same time. Building the right housing in the right place can address both climate change and homelessness, together. Getting public transport in the right places means that we can increase our social connections, while reducing our carbon emissions.
He concludes that, if elected, his first speech in the new Dail will be used to push on the Occupied Territories Bill. The ongoing genocide of the Palestinian people must be at the centre of policy making for the next Dail. In the last days of the current Dail, the Green Party got agreement to move this bill on. This must happen as quickly as possible in the new term.
(6) Jen Cummins is a candidate for the Social Democrats Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Jen Cummins is a Dublin City Councillor, having been elected in 2024. Her priorities include addressing the housing crisis, focusing on healthcare, childcare, protection of the disabled, creating and saving cities from future flooding and increasing green cover, by creating necessary climate policies.
She says that she is running for election because she is tired of seeing a society that isn’t working for so many of us. There is a growing sense of despondency among the electorate and it’s clear that we need a fresh, honest, approach to our politics. She has dedicated her career to advocating for young people and striving for a better, fairer, education system. This election campaign is about taking that passion and turning it into meaningful action at national level.
She adds that the greatest issue facing the country at present is economic inequality. This inequality underpins and perpetuates the crisis in housing, healthcare, education and disability services. It’s unacceptable that in a wealthy country, so many people are struggling to find affordable homes, access quality healthcare, or ensure that their children receive a world-class education. We need a government that tackles these challenges at the root and works to create a more equitable society.
She concludes that, if elected, her inaugural Dail speech will concentrate on the hopes and struggles of young people. She has spent years working alongside them, including her own children and the young people she has met, during the election campaign. She will emphasise the fostering of genuine collaboration and building a system that actually listens and delivers real and lasting change. We need a more compassionate and inclusive society that gives every child and young person a fair chance to thrive.
(7) Hazel De Nortuin is candidate for the People Before Profit Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Hazel De Nortuin has been a Dublin City Councillor since 2016. She has been an active campaigner for accessible Irish-medium education, helping to found an Irish language pre-school in her local area,
She says that she is running for election because for the last eight years, she’s had the privilege of working with many community organisations across the Dublin South-Central area. She has been fighting to fix the lack of funding and resources for youth services, childcare, housing, community arts spaces and “seirbhisi gaeilge”.
She adds that the greatest issue facing the country at present is the serious lack of public and affordable housing, including the regeneration and proper maintenance of social housing. When talking about the housing crisis, we often forget about the most marginalised and vulnerable in our society, such as people seeking security and refuge from domestic violence.
She concludes that, if elected, her inaugural Dail specch will be used to promote the Irish language and to inject more investment into Irish language schools, communities and cultural developments.
(8) Maire Devine is a candidate for the Sinn Fein Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Maire Devine has been a Dublin City Councillor since 2020. She previously served as a Senator for the Labour Panel from 2016 to 2020. She also works on the board of Dublin City Council’s Housing Committee.
She says that she is running for election in order to promote Sinn Fein’s manifesto policies of making housing affordable, abolishing the Universal Social Charge (USC) for low-paid workers, abolishing the Carers Allowance means test, Euros 10.00 per day childcare and action to advance a united Ireland.
(9) Daithi Doolan is a candidate for the Sinn Fein Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Daithi Doolan, who is a member of the James Connolly Cumann in Ballyfermot, was first elected as a Dublin City Councillor in 2004. He holds multiple positions on Dublin City Council and is also the Chair of the Council’s Local Community Development Committee.
(10) Rebecca Hendrick is a candidate for the Independent Ireland Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Rebecca Hendrick is an accountant and personal assistant to Dublin City Councillor, Phillip Sutcliffe. She is a boxing coach and community volunteer, working, specifically, with children with additional needs. She prioritises access for all to education, mental health supports and social resources.
(11) Darragh Moriarty is a candidate for the Labour Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Darragh Moriarty has served as a Dublin City Councillor since 2020, having been co-opted to the local authority. He was re-elected in 2024. His election priorities include affordable housing, provision of student accommodation and sustainable infrastructure.
He says that he is running for election as he understands the issues that people in his community are facing, as they are his own issues, as well. He grew up with a lack of facilities and lived at home for most of his twenties. As a Labour Party TD, he would fight for the vital investment in public services needed for public housing, childcare, public transport and decent community facilities, across the Dublin South-Central constituency.
He adds that the greatest issue facing the country at present is housing. The severe shortage of affordable and decent housing is impacting every aspect of our society. Our schools, hospitals, Gardai and other vital public services suffer staff shortages, because workers can’t afford to live in Dublin. For people fortunate enough to have a family home, many are still living with their parents, while record numbers of people are in homeless accommodation.
He concludes that, if elected, his inaugural Dail speech will focus on the deplorable living conditions in many of the social housing complexes across Dublin. He intends to highlight this issue and to be a persistent force for change in how housing maintenance resources are allocated to address this issue.
(12) John Paul Murphy is a candidate for the Rabharta Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
John Paul Murphy is a medical doctor who is running for election under the banner of the Rabharta Party, an eco-socialist party that split from the Green Party in 2021.
(13) Richard Murray is an Independent candidate in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Richard Murray, who lives in Ballyfermot, has studied with the Institute of Public Administration and is currently completing a degree in Law and Politics at UCD. He is a local GAA coach and school board member and he has volunteered and campaigned in the constituency for adequate funding for housing, sports facilities and mental health services. He was also the local organiser of the Right to Water campaign.
His election priorities include housing, bringing in investments, climate punishment taxes, illegal immigration and public infrastructure.
(14) Aengus O’ Snodaigh is a candidate for the Sinn Fein Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Aengus O’ Snodaigh is a Sinn Fein TD for the Dublin South-Central constituency and lives in Bluebell. He was first elected in 2002. He is the Sinn Fein Party Spokesperson for the Irish language, the Gaeltacht, Arts and Culture and was previously his party’s spokesperson for Social Protection. Before entering politics, he worked as a librarian and translator.
As a committed community activist, he has been heavily involved in local and national issues, including campaigns to abolish water charges and the local property tax. “Dearg le Fearg”, re-instating the Social Protection Christmas bonus and keeping Ballyfermot’s De La Salle School open.
He has been central in drafting and presenting Sinn Fein’s alternative, anti-austeritybudgets, as well as publishing major policies on disability rights and opposing the JobPath scheme. He has also introduced several Dail motions to reverse government Social Protection cuts, effecting the elderly, disabled, lone parents and children. in particular.
(15) Mary Seery Kearney is a candidate for the Fine Gael Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Mary Seery Kearney has been a member of Seanad Eireann since 2020. She is a qualified barrister and works as a director of HR Brief Ltd. She is a member of the Special Policy Committee on Economic Development, Enterprise and Tourism.
She says that she is running in this election as she sees politics as a way to get things done in the community from the Dail Chamber, at a more influential level. She has been heavily involved in community affairs like soup runs and supporting the provision of housing for young people at risk of homelessness. She has also supported youth work, childcare and families who are battling with banks for trying to foreclose on their mortgages, or trying to take away their tracker mortgages.
She adds that the biggest issues facing the country at present are housing and services for people with disabilities.
She concludes that, if elected, her inaugural Dail speech will focus on the issue of child poverty and setting out the ways the government should ensure that no child in Ireland grows up in poverty.
(16) Phillip Sutcliffe is a candidate for the Independent Ireland Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Phillip Sutcliffe has been a Dublin City Councillor since 2024. His election priorities include access to resources for families, youth development and support for those with additional needs. He is a former Olympic boxer, competing at both the 1980 and 1984 Olympic Games.
(17) Barry Ward is a candidate for the Irish Freedom Party in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Barry Ward is running for election under the banner of the Irish Freedom Party, which was launched in September 2018. The party’s main objective is advocating for an Irish withdrawal from the European Union and its president is Hermann Kelly. It is a right-wing, Eurosceptic party.
(18) Dolores Webster is an Independent candidate in the Dublin South-Central constituency:
Dolores Webster is also known as “Dee Wall”. She was a prominent anti-vaxxer and virus sceptic during the Covid-19 pandemic. She supports community banking which, according to her, will create economic growth in many local communities. Her election priorities include housing, employment and child care facilities.
https://www.gov.ie/en/press-release/ff058-general-election-29-november-2024/
