Constituency profile: Wexford
Can they out-muscle the established faces, though?
Wexford remains a five-seat constituency, with no boundary changes.
Jobs, jobs, jobs is the all-important issue in a county, like all others, hit hard by the recession. At one stage, one in four people were out of work. Housing and health services are also issues for voters.
Some changes could shake up the election results — namely, the decision by Fine Gael TD Liam Twomey to leave politics; and for the main two parties to each field three candidates.
Independent TD Mick Wallace topped the poll last time round. Even though the former developer faces numerous Independents in the field this time, he should keep his seat.
Labour’s Brendan Howlin is likely to retain his seat, too. While Labour looks set for a hiding, the Public Expenditure and Reform minister is no stranger to tough times, having kept his seat for almost 30 years. Mr Howlin also has popularity and personal support in Wexford Town.
That leaves three seats. Two of these will likely go to Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. The belief is that the outgoing government chief whip, Paul Kehoe, and James Browne, son of retiring Fianna Fáil TD John Browne, will be the winners here.
Browne, a barrister, topped the local elections in Enniscorthy.
The last seat is expected to be a fight between Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Sinn Féin.
Fianna Fáil’s Malcolm Byrne topped the poll in Gorey and stands a good chance. Senator Michael D’Arcy, who lost his seat here in 2011, is also in a fighting position. It will likely come down to transfers from their running mates. Even if Fine Gael lost a quarter of its 26,000 votes from last time, it could still get two over the line.
Sinn Féin did well in the local elections, but former trade unionist Johnny Mythen faces a battle for the fifth seat. It is also worth keeping an eye on Independent Ger Carthy.
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