CANDIDATES PEMBROKE
Eric Eblana (Independent)
Erik Eblana, aged 40, is an unemployed business manager, writer, blogger and local poet.
He was assistant Director of the Rathmines Festival and says there is a need for a voice supporting the arts, culture and micro-businesses. Has seven points he wants to make his own including, government accountability, protecting the Grand Canal, reducing rates for local businesses, creating new jobs locally, planning issues and community-led government.
Jim O’Callaghan (Fianna Fail)
Jim O’Callaghan is a 44 year old barrister educated at UCD, Cambridge and Kings Inns.
He is now practising as a Senior Counsel.
Jim objected to the Poolbeg Incinerator and says the Council needs to do more to facilitate recycling.
He wants public transport improved and praises the LUAS as a success that should be pursued further.
Eoghan Murphy (Fine Gael)
Eoghan is 27 years old and lives in Sandymount.
He has worked as a consultant on nuclear weapon disarmament in London, Vienna and Geneva.
Eoghan wants a directly elected Mayor.,
Reform of the electoral boundaries.
A modern cycling infrastructure.
Plus a properly integrated public transport system.
Dermot Lacey (Labour)
Former Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr. Dermot Lacey is the Labour Party candidate for the Pembroke area.
He is married with two children and lives in Donnybrook and has been on the City Council since 1993.
Councillor Lacey is active in a wide range of community groups and is particularly committed to the reform of Local Government structures and for the introduction of a directly-elected Lord Mayor. Long housing lists, traffic problems and planning are high on his agenda for reform. He has opposed the proposed incinerator in the area and is enthusiastic about the protection and enhancement of Sandymount Strand.
Michael Donnelly (Fianna Fáil)
Rathfarnam resident, Michael Donnelly is a Chartered Accountant and Chairman of the Finance Committee on Dublin City Council. Michael is particularly concerned to ensure value for money and delivery of the best possible service to the citizens.
In addition, high standards in planning and in planning regulation are a key priority. This approach will be particularly vital as we work on the next Dublin City Development Plan. Innovation in working out new methods in traffic calming, reduction in parking frustrations and encouragement in the use of public transport are a central part in his approach to traffic policy.Quality of life issues particularly in terms of the Arts and an appreciation of our cultural traditions and potential are central to Michael Donnellyís approach to public life.
Oisín Quinn (Labour)
Cllr. Oisín Quinn was elected to Dublin City Council in 2004. He grew up in Sandymount and now lives in Rathmines. Married to Elva with 3 young children, he is a practising barrister who specialises in employment law and last year he was made a Senior Counsel.
Oisín lead the campaign on the City Council to secure changes to the current City Development Plan to protect green spaces and sports fields from development. His main priority is to make a new Development Plan for Dublin that links development to improvements in schools, transport and community facilities.
Mary Freehill (Labour)
Mary Freehill was first elected for Pembroke and then for Rathmines Ward since 1991. She served on the EU Committee of the Regions in Brussels and served as Dublin’s Millennium Lord Mayor.
She is now a full time Councillor having spent her working life as a Social Worker in Rehabilitation Services. A long time campaigner for Local Government reform, which would give real transparency and more say to the citizen.
“I want a society that supports and protects, our most vulnerable children at risk, disabled or elderly peopleî.”
Fights against predatory development in residential neighbourhoods and for protection of our built heritage.
Garret Tubridy (Fianna Fail)
Garrett, 33,is an Operations Manager and is married with one son. He holds a B. Comm Degree and a Masters in Business Studies (UCD). Garrett volunteered as an intern for Congressman Joe Kennedy in Boston’s eighth district back in 1996. Garrett believes that we should focus on our Urban Villages (Sandymount, Ballsbridge, Donnybrook) to create communities around Dublin’s shared green spaces.
Garrett also has a number of ideas to improve the transport system, making it a safe, efficient, affordable and environmentally-friendly option for commuters. Finally, a litter-free city is more attractive for businesses, tourists, investors, and, most importantly, for residents. It should be one of the Council’s highest priorities.
Edie Wynn (Fine Gael)
Edie is a longstanding community activist. She lives in Terenure with her husband, Tom.
She went back to college as a mature student and graduated from Trinity College with a BSc(Mgmt) and MA.
Her interests include her family, politics, music, golf and vibrant community life.
Her particular political interests are: retention of urban village community life; enforcement of planning regulations; the preservation of St Luke’s Hospital, Rathgar; no incinerator in Sandymount; improved traffic regulation, including safe cycle lanes.
Bryce Evans (People Before Profit Alliance)
Bryce works as a History tutor at University College Dublin. He regularly contributes articles to newspapers and journals offering commentary on politics and history.
Bryce has been active in Irish Anti-War Movement and Shell to Sea campaigns and is a keen footballer and cyclist.
He is against: cuts in public transport and for the improvement of cycle lanes and against cutbacks at St Vincentís and other local hospitals.
He wants another local multi-denominational state school. He would protect green spaces and punish those who destroy our heritage.
Paddy McCartan (Fine Gael)
Paddy McCartan has strong roots in the community, having grown up in Ballsbridge.
He attended school in Marian College and qualified as an Optician from Kevin Street.
All his working life has been spent in Baggot Street and Ringsend, where he runs two opticians and it is from here that his involvement in community work began.
His priority issues for the local elections are: local environment, planning application and development proposals, harnessing the full potential of our older generation and increasing the integrity and effectiveness of local government.
Oisín Dolan (Sinn Féin)
Oisin is 22 years old and has been a member of Sinn Féin since 2005.
He says he got involved in politics for two main reasons: one, he wanted to help to bring an end to British misrule in Ireland and establish a truly national Republic. Two, he wants to help to bring about a better, more fair society in which people are treated with dignity and respect.
A city council must work together to develop Dublin as a whole; to deal with issues such as social housing, local healthcare, traffic congestion and road safety and planning in a sustainable, equitable and cohesive manner to ensure success for all the people of the city.
CANDIDATES SOUTH EAST INNER CITY
CATHERINE NOONE (Fine Gael)
Catherine Noone-FG, Cllr is a practicing Solicitor, business owner and resident in the area.
Originally from Co. Mayo.
She aims to improve the lives of all residents by being in constant contact with local residents and their issues.
Such as drug abuse, criminality and social deprivation.
Key areas needing change are health and education.As well as housing and public transport being fundamental to the quality of life for Citizens.
Kevin Humphreys (Labour)
Kevin was born in Ringsend and now lives in Bath Avenue and believes that a fairer society will only be achieved through equality of opportunity.
He is Chairperson of the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee. Chairperson of the Board of Management of Ringsend & Rathmines College and a member of the Board of Ballsbridge College.
He has worked for improved access to education. Kevin’s priorities over the next five years will be job creation, community investment and social solidarity.
Claire Wheeler (Green)
Claire Wheeler has lived in Irishtown parish for 20 years. An Engineering Science graduate of Trinity College, Claire worked as an engineer in industry for 12 years. More recently, she re-trained as a secondary-level maths teacher, and works as a substitute teacher.
Claire’s priorities include: improving safety for cyclists; making Dublin’s streets more accessible for frail elderly, disabled and partly disabled; real and meaningful public consultation in making the new City Development Plan and Poolbeg Planning Scheme; conservation of natural and recreational coastal amenity in any Poolbeg development; ensuring that City Council services are improved, and not cut back; ensuring that any local charges are equitable and progressive; provision of allotments.
Sarah Ryan (Fianna Fáil)
I have been selected to run for the Fianna Fáil party in the local Elections on June 5th. Since joining Dublin City Council last year, I have fought for improved social housing in the community, better educational facilities and access to education for all ages.
As someone who has grown up in the local area and worked as a teacher in a local school, I have a strong understanding of the issues we face within the community.
My main priority in this election campaign is the protection and creation of local jobs.
If elected, I will be your local voice and will continue to fight for jobs and better facilities in our community.
Maria Parodi (Labour)
Maria Parodi is your new Labour local election candidate for South East Inner City. As a resident of Ringsend, Maria has actively campaigned alongside members of the community on many local issues.Some of her priorities are to encourage the creation of local jobs, ensure that any future planning is community-led not developer-led, improve public transport, secure local facilities for young people and much-needed amenities for older people and to continue to oppose the incinerator. Maria is committed to tackling the everyday issues facing people within South East Inner City with greater transparency, accountability and open communication.
Vicky Crosby (Fianna Fáil)
Vicky, a 35 year old Accountant, originally from Co. Roscommon, lives in South Lotts Road, Ringsend. Vicky is a former member of the National Women’s Committee and at the age of 18 secured a seat on the replacement panel for Europe (representing Connaught Ulster). If elected, Vicky intends to be a full time public representative and to put her career as an accountant on hold.Vicky’s policies will include: care for the elderly with an emphasis on the availability of home help for those who need it and increased security in the home for elderly people. On education, Vicky would like to see a greater uptake of further education amongst school-leavers in the area. On the environment, she wants to promote the reduction of waste through reusing and recycling.
Daithí Doolan (Sinn Féin)
Daithí Doolan is the Sinn Féin Representative for Dublin South East and says he has a “passion for politics.”
Originally from Cork, He has been a political activist for most of his adult life and was active in CND, The Anti Single European Act Campaign and The Anti Apartheid Movement.
He lived in London for five years and since returning to Ireland in 1992 he has held many posts within Sinn Féin. He opposes bin charges, hospitals closures and high-rise developments. He has also tackled both the causes and consequences of drug addiction in the community with great success as a founding member and current PRO for the Ringsend & District Response to Drugs.
Mannix Flynn (Independent)
Born in Mercer Street, Mannix Flynn is best known as a writer and actor, but has always used Art as a means of effecting social change, particularly around the rights of children - to be seen, to be heard and to be protected.
In 2004 Mannix became a member of Aosdana, and was still a voice for those vulnerable to exploitation.
Mannixís priorities include: the development of a robust plan to deal with the continuing flooding at Ringsend; opposing the incinerator at Ringsend; more residential parking for Ringsend/Sandymount. As well asworking towards a much more transparent open, and service friendly Dublin city council by establishing one-stop-shops within the community.
EUROPEAN ELECTION CANDIDATES
Eibhlin Byrne (Fianna Fáil)
The Lord Mayor has held distinguished positions in advocacy throughout her career to date and is currently employed by the Daughters of Charity Child & Family Services as a Senior Manager with responsibility for 10 family centres around the city. Eibhlin states: “As Lord Mayor I am currently a voice for Dubliners in Dublin.
As a member of the European Parliament I would seek to be a voice for Dublin and Dubliners in Europe. I have used the office of Lord Mayor effectively to create links and synergies between people and between groups that add real value to people’s quality of life. I have put people at the centre of every policy and would continue to do so in Europe.”
As a councillor I acted on behalf of many community groups in relation to planning issues over the years particularly in relation to planning and rezoning decisions. As a Senator I was a member of the New Forum for Europe and committee on the Future of Ireland in Europe which resulted in a report with wide ranging recommendations. If elected my priorities will include: an EU-wide ‘Green New Deal’ economic stimulus package for Europe that will create five million new green collar jobs across all member states; bringing more Democracy to the European Union through giving its citizens more say in its decision-making and making its processes much more transparent and accountable.
Déirdre de Búrca (Green Party)
As a councillor I acted on behalf of many community groups in relation to planning issues over the years particularly in relation to planning and rezoning decisions.
As a Senator I was a member of the New Forum for Europe and committee on the Future of Ireland in Europe which resulted in a report with wide ranging recommendations.
If elected my priorities will include: an EU-wide ‘Green New Deal’ economic stimulus package for Europe that will create five million new green collar jobs across all member states.
Bringing more Democracy to the European Union through giving its citizens more say in its decision-making and making its processes much more transparent and accountable.
Joe Higgins (The Socialist Party)
Joe Higgins is a long-time activist in the labour and trade union movement. Elected to Dublin County Council in 199.
He was a leading fighter against corrupt land rezoning in Dublin and for planning in the interests of communities rather than for speculators and major developers.
Joe Higgins was elected to the Dail in 1997 and for the next ten years was a leading opponent of the policies of the Fianna Fail/ Progressive Democrat Government.
He frequently challenged the then Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, on a wide range of issues including land speculation and profiteering in the housing market.Priorities: workers’ rights and pay, defending public services, opposing the Lisbon Treaty, taxing big business and the super-rich.
Gay Mitchell (Fine Gael)
Gay Mitchell has served as a member of Dublin City Council, City of Dublin VEC, and as Chairman of Rathmines College of Commerce. He was Lord Mayor of Dublin from 1992 to 1993. He has served as a Minister of State at the Department of the Taoiseach and the Department of Foreign Affairs with special responsibility for European Affairs. He was the Irish Representative on the Reflection Group which prepared the Amsterdam Treaty.
Gay is a full member of both the Development Committee, and the Committee on Economic and Monetary Affairs. He is also Vice-Chairman of the EU delegation to the ACP (African Caribbean Pacific)– EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly. He is a substitute member of the delegation for relations with the People’s Republic of China.
Eoin Ryan (Fianna Fáil)
Eoin Ryan was first elected to Dublin City Council in 1985 where he promoted housing improvement schemes, particularly in the inner city. He was appointed to the Seanad in 1989 and the Dáil in 1992.
He was appointed as Minister of State with responsibility for the National Drugs Strategy in 2000. He has been Dublin representative on the Economics Committee of the European Parliament since 2002 and is also a member of the PetitionsCommittee and the Development Committee of the Parliament.
If re-elected, Eoin’s priorities will include: protecting Dublin jobs; fighting for more effective action on the problem of drugs in our society and for increased EU funding for community groups tackling the problem; the enforcement of consumer rights in UK stores here– Eoin believes Irish shoppers are paying too much and will fight for their right to better protection.
Patricia McKenna (Independent)
Patricia McKenna is a former Green Party MEP who recently resigned from the party over its policy direction in Government.
She made political history when she topped the poll in Dublin in 1994 and became Ireland’s first Green MEP. She has ten years experience in Europe. Also famous for the McKenna Judgment which stopped government use of tax-payers’ money to fund their own advertising campaigns.
The key plank of her campaign will be democracy and accountability in Ireland and Brussels– she wants politicians held accountable for their actions and promises. Issues include: Workers Rights, Environmental Protection, Peace & Disarmament, Fair Distribution of EU Funds, Human Rights and Animal Welfare.
Mary Lou McDonald (Sinn Féin)
Mary Lou McDonald is the Vice President of Sinn Féin and is an MEP for Dublin. Educated in Trinity College, Dublin, the University of Limerick and Dublin City University Mary Lou has studied English Literature, European Integration Studies and Human Resource Management. She is married with two children.
If re-elected, Mary Lou will campaign for a Europe of equals. A true partnership of equal sovereign states, co-operating in social and economic development in Europe and beyond.
“We want an EU that promotes peace, demilitarisation and nuclear disarmament and the just resolution of conflicts under the leadership of a reformed, renewed and democratised United Nations.Ultimately, we want a future United Ireland to take an active, leading role in such a reformed EU.”
Proinsias de Rossa (The Labour Party)
Proinsias has served as Labour MEP for Dublin since 1999. He represented Dublin North-West in the Dáil for 20 years. Proinsias was elected leader of The Workers Party in 1988, and left in 1992 to found Democratic Left.
He led DL into the 1994-1997 Rainbow Government, where he served as Minister for Social Welfare. His achievements included introducing the first ever National Anti-Poverty Strategy.
Together with his Socialist colleagues in the European Parliament, Proinsias is working to: Launch the recovery of the European economy and prevent new financial crises. Renew Europe’s Social Agenda to deliver fairness in society. Make Europe a global force against climate change. Advance gender equality. Develop a fair European migration policy. Enhance Europe’s role in promoting peace and development, and combating global poverty.
Caroline Simons (Libertas)
Caroline Simons lives in South Dublin with her husband and five daughters. She works part-time as a law lecturer. She started her career, as a young solicitor, working for the Employment Equality Agency and fighting for workersí rights. She currently sits on the Board of Governors of the National Maternity Hospital on Holles Street. Caroline believes that the EU has the capacity to do an enormous amount of good, but it is not living up to its potential.
She wants to ensure that MEPs are open about their attendance records, expenses claims, and how they spend your money. Caroline wants a change and opposes over-spending at home and in Brussels. With the current economic crisis we face, Caroline thinks that it is time for a change. She will be a new voice for the people of Dublin, working tirelessly to ensure Ireland’s place at the heart of a Union that works for and explains itself to its people.”
European Election Candidates Update
Also running: Emmanuel Sweeney (Independent). Unfortunately, we were unable to access information and photos for this candidate.