Constituency profile: Dún Laoghaire

While every constituency is a battle, Dún Laoghaire could end up in a massive dog fight.

Thu, 18 Feb, 2016 - 00:00

Elaine Loughlin

The automatic re-election of Ceann Comhairle Sean Barrett means this four-seater constituency has been effectively reduced to three, making the race to Leinster House even more competitive.

Competition is so fierce that there is even tension between party running mates.

Like many areas both in Dublin and across the country childcare is a massive issue, with young families feeling they are paying a second mortgage in crèche and childcare fees.

With one of the oldest populations of any constituency in the country, crime and the threat of burglary is coming up on many doorsteps. Two Garda stations — Dalkey and Kill O’ The Grange — have been closed which is a worry for many voters.

Fine Gael has traditionally maintained loyal support in Dún Laoghaire. In 2011 the party’s strategy meant it pulled in 35% of the vote and won two seats for Seán Barrett and Mary Mitchell O’Connor.

As Ceann Comhairle, Sean Barrett does not have to contest the election this time to maintain his seat.

It is expected that Richard Boyd-Barrett (AAA PBP) will also retain his seat.

Mary Mitchell O’Connor will be confident of retaining her seat.

Fellow running-mate Maria Bailey may be a first-time candidate but she is not shy of a battle. She has worked hard on the ground as a councillor, as has her father John, who is also a member of Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown council. She is a strong candidate and is in with a chance of the last seat, meaning Fine Gael would end up with three TDs there.

Fianna Fáil’s Mary Hanafin, narrowly lost out in 2011 and put in an impressive performance in the local elections. She has already fought off opposition from her running partner Cormac Devlin, who had argued that a one-candidate strategy was best, before she was added to the ticket in September. She will therefore be up for the fight, even if it means going head-to-head with Mr Devlin.

Former Labour leader Eamon Gilmore’s decision not to run again has allowed for the addition of local councillor Carrie Smyth to the ticket. Other names worthy of mention are Independent Alliance candidate Carol Hunt and Renua Ireland’s Frank Cronin.