Adrian Kavanagh – First posted on 22nd October 2014 – this post will be updated as and when new candidates are selected/declared 

As confirmed on the morning of February 3rd 2016, the next general election will take place on Friday 26th February 2016. Selection conventions for the different political parties commenced as far back as the Autumn/Winter of 2014 and continued through 2015, while independent candidates (both incumbent and non-incumbent) were declaring their intention to contest the election right up to the official close of nominations (at 12pm on 11th February 2016). With the closing data for candidate nominations now past, the overall number of official General Election 2016 candidates stands at 551.

Some of the candidates initially listed here opted to withdraw from the contest as Election Day draws closer, as is noted in the commentary on some of the constituencies.

In the case of Renua Ireland, there was a list of “declared candidates”, including party leader, Lucinda Creighton, but these needed to go through a selection process before they become officially selected “party candidates”. So, until this process was concluded, Renua Ireland candidates would not be listed as officially selected candidates here. The lists of officially selected Renua candidates has now been released and these were updated as 2015 and early 2016 progressed. (Some of the “declared” candidates did not subsequently become “official” candidates.) This list included Jonathan Irwin, who initially declared his intention to contest Kildare South as an independent in Autumn 2014. However, he subsequently withdrew from the election contest, as did Mary Smyth in Cavan-Monaghan, Shane Dunphy in Wexford and Desmond Hayes in Limerick City. James Charity returned back to the independent ranks after having been selected as a Renua candidate. Smyth and Hayes also subsequently decided to contest the election as independents.

A significant number of the current group of incumbents are, of course, be contesting the next general election, though a number of these will also be standing down at this election, as has been noted in an earlier post. The number of retirements ahead of this contest, however, is significantly lower than was the case ahead of the 2011 General Election.

Web links associated with candidate names (where they exist) were solely for the purpose of substantiating the claim that these candidates will be contesting, or are at least preparing to contest, the next general election. These links were not envisaged as being used for the purpose of directing people to the candidate’s own webpages/promoting particular candidates and, where possible, web links will relate to national and local media sources as opposed to political party/candidate webpages/Facebook pages. The latter instances may have been used, of course, if no suitable “neutral” source of information is available to substantiate the claim that certain candidates are contesting the next general election.

Where these details have been made online, links to the official Notice of Poll documents will be noted here for the relevant constituency postings.

So, with the preliminaries now concluded, let’s get to the meat of this particular post. The list of officially nominated candidates for the next (2016) General Election is:

Carlow-Kilkenny (5 seats – 15 candidates): John Paul Phelan FG, Pat Deering FG, David Fitzgerald FG, John McGuinness FF, Bobby Aylward FF, Jennifer Murnane-O’Connor FF, Ann Phelan LAB, Kathleen Funchion SF, Malcolm Noonan GP, Adrienne Wallace PBPA, Patrick McKee RN, Conor MacLiam AAA, Noel G Walsh IND, Paddy Milo Manning IND, Keith Gilligan IND

The Notice of Poll for the Carlow-Kilkenny constituency (via the Carlow-Kilkenny Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(The May 2015 by-election in this constituency might give some indication as to potential general election contenders. More details on the candidates who were selected to contest this election (or who declared their candidatures in this case of non-party candidates) may be viewed at the Carlow-Kilkenny 2015 By-Election candidates post. As part of the Anti-Austerity Alliance selection process for the by-election, Conor MacLiam was selected to contest both the by-election and the upcoming general election. 

The Carlow People (10th January 2015) noted that independent councillor, Walter Lacey, had met with Lucinda Creighton and is contemplating whether to join this party and “contest a national election down the line” for it. On 29th June 2015, it was announced that Cllr. Patrick McKee would be the Renua Ireland candidate for this constituency.

Fine Gael Dail deputy, Pat Deering, has declared his intention of contesting the election. According to the KCLR radio website, the Fine Gael selection convention was to be held in Lyrath on Monday 20th July 2015. This was to be contested by Deputies John Paul Phelan and Pat Deering, as well as Senator Pat O’Neill and Cllr. David Fitzgerald (who had contested the by-election in May 2015). It was unclear as to how many candidates will be selected at this. As it transpired, only two candidates were selected at this convention – the two incumbents, Deputies Pat Deering and John Paul Phelan. According to the KCLR website, it is expected that a third candidate will be added at a later date. Cllr. David Fitzgerald was indeed confirmed as the third Fine Gael candidate here on 29th July 2015.

Having lost out at the selection convention for the by-election, Cllr. Jennifer Murnane-O’Connor has expressed her intention of seeking a nomination from Fianna Fail to contest the general election in this constituency. The KCLR website noted that the Fianna Fail candidate selections will take place next week, with separate conventions to be held for Carlow in the Lord Bagenall on Monday 20th July 2015 and for Kilkenny in the Springhill Hotel on Tuesday 21st July 2015. Deputies Bobby Aylward and John McGuinness are believed to be the candidates in the Kilkenny selection. The KCLR website subsequently noted that, with Cllr. Fintan Phelan not contesting the Carlow convention, Cllr. Jennifer Murnane-O’Connor would almost certainly be the Carlow-based Fianna Fail candidate. Indeed, Cllr. Murnane-O’Connor as selected as the Fianna Fail candidate from the Carlow area at the convention on 20th July 2015. John McGuinness and Bobby Aylward were confirmed as the Fianna Fail candidates for the Kilkenny area on the following night (21st July 2015). According to the Kilkenny People (24th July 2015), Deputy Phelan won 329 of the 731 votes cast at this convention. Deputy Deering won 137 votes, but was automatically selected as the only Carlow-based candidate. Cllr. Fitzgerald won 162 votes at this convention, while Senator O’Neill won 103 votes.

Cllr. Kathleen Funchion was confirmed as the Sinn Fein general election candidate for this constituency at the party selection convention in Carlow on 23rd July 2015.

It was announced Deputy Ann Phelan would contesting the Labour Party selection convention, which is taking place on 28th July 2015. It was unclear at this point if any other candidates will be contesting this. Ann Phelan subsequently was the only candidate to be selected at this convention.

Cllr. Breda Gardner, who contested the by-election in May, announced that she was unlikely to contest the general election in this constituency, as noted on the KCLR Radio website (10th August 2015).

The People Before Profit Alliance website has confirmed that their by-election candidate, Adrienne Wallace, will be contesting the general election also.

As announced on the KCLR radio website (23rd September 2015), Cllr. Malcolm Noonan has been selected to contest this constituency for the Green Party.

On 15th January 2015 Paddy Milo Manning announced that he would be contesting the election as an independent candidate.

On 8th February 2016 Keith Gilligan announced his intention to contest this constituency as an independent candidate, aligned with the Right2Change movement, as noted on the KCLR radio website (9th February 2016).) 

Cavan-Monaghan (4 seats – 15 candidates): Heather Humphries FG, Joe O’Reilly FG, Brendan Smith FF, Niamh Smyth FF, Mike Durkan FF, Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin SF, Kathryn Reilly SF, Micheál Callaghan GP, Mick McDermott DDI-NCM, Aoife O’Connell DDI-NCM, Sean Conlan IND, John Wilson IND, Jimmy Mee IND, Mary Smyth IND, Emmet Smith IND

(John Wilson said that he was considering running as an independent candidate in the next general election but has now confirmed that he will.

The Northern Sound website has reported that all five incumbents has declared their interest in contesting the next general election.

The Anglo Celt (22nd January 2015) has reported that Cllr. Niamh Smyth is to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention, while former Dail deputy, Margaret Conlon, is also considering her options, while Cllrs. Seamus Coyle and Robbie Gallagher have also expressed an interest in seeking the Fianna Fail nomination. The January 29th edition of The Anglo Celt notes that three people have confirmed interest in contesting the Fianna Fail selection convention – Deputy Brendan Smith and Cllrs. Smyth and Coyle. A report on the Northern Sound website (27th March 2015) noted that Brendan Smith said he would be contesting the election and that Fianna Fail would be running two candidates here, with the second to probably come from Monaghan. The Anglo Celt (29th September 2015) has reported that the call for nominations for the Fianna Fail selection convention was put out on 28th September 2015, with the call for nominations closing on 6th October 2015. At this point, the paper noted, both Deputy Brendan Smith and Cllr. Niamh Smyth had confirmed their intention to contest the convention. The Anglo Celt (6th October 2015) later noted that Cllrs. Robbie Gallagher, PJ O’Hanlon and Seamus Coyle, as well as former Dail deputy, Margaret Conlon, had also been nominated to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention. Onn 23rd November 2015, Margaret Conlon announced in a letter that she would be withdrawing from the selection contest. As reported on the Northern Sound website (22nd November 2015), this convention has now been scheduled to take place in the Hotel Kilmore in Cavan Town on 1st December 2015. The Anglo Celt (23rd November 2015) has reported that Cllr. PJ O’Hanlon has also withdrawn from the convention contest, leaving four candidates to contest the selection convention on 1st December 2015 – Cllrs. Robbie Gallagher, Niamh Smyth and Seamus Coyle and Deputy Brendan Smith. A report in the Northern Standard (27th November 2015) had suggested that the party is likely to select one Cavan-based candidate and one Monaghan-based candidate. However, Johnny Fallon subsequently reported on the Slugger O’Toole website (1st December 2015) that all the Monaghan based candidates – Coyle, Gallagher and Conlon – had withdrawn ahead of the convention taking place.  According to the Northern Sound website (1st Decmber 2015), these withdrawals mean that there will be no vote for Monaghan delegates at the December 1st selection convention, with a separate convention now to be held for Monaghan in the coming weeks. This effectively leaves Cllr. Niamh Smyth and Deputy Brendan Smith as the only two candidates left in contention at the Hotel Kilmore selection convention. Brendan Smith was selected at this convention. As noted by the Northern Standard (4th December 2015), Brendan Smith won this convention vote by a 603-205 vote margin. After the vote, Cllr. Niamh Smyth argued that she be added to the ticket as she could make “a very positive and effective impact” to the Fianna Fail campaign. In December 2015, the Fianna Fáil Comhairle Dáil Ceantar in Monaghan put out a call for “expressions of interest” from people interested in being the Monaghan Fianna Fail candidate, as reported on the Northern Sound website (17th December 2015). On 21st January 2016, it was announced that Cllr. Niamh Smyth was being added to the Fianna Fail ticket in this constituency, as reported by the Anglo Celt (21st January 2016), with the same article reporting that Ballybay-based Therese Hamilton was also expected to be added here. The Nothern Sound website (21st January 2016), by contrast, reported that it was their understanding that party headquarters had offered the nomination to a prospective Monaghan-based candidate but they had declined. A confirmation of a Monaghan candidate for Fianna Fail was expected soon, however, according to this report. On 22nd January 2016 it was confirmed that the third candidate (and the Monaghan-based candidate) would be Clones-based Mike Durkan, as reported on the Northern Sound website (22nd January 2016).  

The Anglo Celt (29th January 2015) also noted that Sen. Kathryn Reilly is putting her name forward to contest the Sinn Fein convenion. Deputy Caoimhghín O’Caolaín has said that he wishes to contest the next general election and he has confirmed that Sinn Fein will be running two candidates in the constituency at this election. Senator Kathryn Reilly and Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin were both selected to contest this constituency at the Sinn Féin selection convention at the Errigal Hotel, Cootehill, on 2nd June 2015.

Fine Gael’s three incumbents – Deputies Heather Humphries, Sean Conlan and  Joe O’Reilly – were all selected to contest the general election at the party convention in the Hotel Kilmore on 8th September 2015. On 24th November 2015, however, Sean Conlan announced he was resigning from Fine Gael over the party’s “position on the North-South Interconnector”, as reported on TheJournal.ie (24th November 2015). It has been confirmed on the Northern Sound radio website (24th November 5015) that he intends to contest the election as an independent candidate.

On 12th October 2015, it was announced that Mary Smyth would be the Renua Ireland candidate here. But she withdrew contesting the election as a Renua candidate in early December 2015. On 27th January 2016, however, it was reported on the Northern Sound website (27th January 2016) that she would be contesting the election, but as an independent candidate, after all.

As reported on the Northern Sound radio website (26th November 2015), Jimmy Mee will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.

The Anglo-Celt (1st October 2015) has reported that the Labour Party is unlikely to contest this constituency.

Mick McDermott and Aoife O’Connell will be contesting this constituency for Direct Democracy Ireland – A National Citizens Movement, according to the party website – and as also reported on the Northern Sound website (3rd February 2016).

The Green Party have stated that they will be contesting this constituency (and all 40 Dail constituencies) and will be announcing their Cavan-Monaghan candidate in the first week of January 2016, as reported on the Northern Sound website (23rd December 2015). In December 2015 it was revealed that their candidate would be Micheal Callaghan.

As noted on the Northern Sound radio website (10th February 2016), Emmett Smith of the Cavan Water Charges Opposition Group is contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.)

Clare (4 seats – 16 candidates): Pat Breen FG, Joe Carey FG, Mary Howard FG, Timmy Dooley FF, Michael McDonagh FF, Clare Colleran Molloy FF, Michael McNamara LAB, Noeleen Moran SF, Fergal Smith GP, Niamh O’Brien FN, Ann Norton IND, Richard Cahill IND, Ian Lynch IND, Michael Harty IND/NDNV, Dermot Mulqueen IND, André Sibo Hakizimana IND

(Shannon Independent councillor, Gerry Flynn, was considering his options in terms of a run in the next general election and had noted that financial considerations might determine whether he contested the election or not. The Clare People (18th November 2015) reported, however, that he “was already in the race”. However, The Clare Herald (9th January 2016) reported that he had announced that finances had dictated that he would not be able to contest the election. Former Dail deputy and independent councillor, Cllr. James Breen, had not ruled out contesting the upcoming general election in Clare, according to the Clare FM website (29th June 2015), but it was later confirmed that he would not be contesting the election, as reported in The Clare People (18th November 2015). The Clare People (28th October 2015) reports that Cllr. Ian Lynch has said that he will contest the general election as an independent candidate if he can find a way to finance his campaign. The Clare People (18th November 2015) reports that he is “expected to join the contest in the new year”. His candidacy was indeed confirmed in early January 2016, as reported on the Clare FM website (7th January 2016). As reported on the Clare FM website (24th September 2015), Cllr. Ann Norton will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. She has decided not to join the Independent Alliance grouping, as reported by The Clare Champion (25th September 2015). As reported on the Clare FM (12th November 2015) website, Sixmilebridge-based Richard Cahill will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.

The Irish Independent has noted that Fine Gael senator, Martin Conway, may be contemplating the prospect of contesting this election for Renua Ireland. Fine Gael senator, Martin Conway, according to a Clare People article, has argued that the party will struggle to hold their two seats in that constituency if he is not one of the Fine Gael candidates. According to the Clare Champion (29th June 2015), he has claimed it would be “political stupidity” not to select him, given that Fine Gael would be likely to face a number of strong West Clare-based candidates in the upcoming election. As well as Senator Conway and the two Dail deputies, Pat Breen and Joe Carey, Senator Tony Mulcahy has also expressed an interest in running for the party at the next general election. The Clare Champion (17th August 2015) noted that Mary Howard may also contest this selection convention, which is scheduled to take place in Ennis on 11th September 2015. The Clare Champion site later reported that Cllr. Howard would indeed be contesting this convention, along with Deputies Breen and Carey and Senators Mulcahy and Conway. Cllr. Joe Cooney has said that he would not challenge the two incumbent deputies at the convention, which was scheduled to take place in Treacy’s West County Hotel in Ennis on 11th September 2015, although he might be open to being added to the ticket after the convention has taken place, as reported in The Clare People (2nd September 2015). Local election candidate in 2014, Ger O’Halloran, had put his name forward to contest the selection convention, but then withdrew ahead of this taking place. Senator Tony Mulcahy withdrew at the convention, at which a directive to select two candidates was announced. After the directive to select two candidates was announced, Senator Martin Conway also withdrew, leaving the convention vote to be contested between Deputies Carey and Breen and Cllr. Howard. The convention vote resulted in the selection of Deputies Breen and Carey. As reported by the Clare Today website (7th October 2015), Fine Gael are seeking to add a third candidate in this constituency, but Cllrs. Johnny Flynn and Joe Cooney have not agreed to put their names forward for this. The party is instead now considering between Cllr. Mary Howard and Senators Martin Conway and Tony Mulcahy. TheJournal.ie reported on 25th November 2015 that the party was expected to add Cllr. Mary Howard as the third candidate in this constituency. However, the Clare FM website (1st December 2015) noted that there was still no clarity as to a third Fine Gael election candidate, with Cllr. Howard claiming that these delays will leave any candidate being added at this point at a significant disadvantage.) The Clare FM radio website reported on 5th January 2016 that Fine Gael party officials were expected to make a final decision on a third Fine Gael candidate in Clare by the end of that weekend. In early January 2016, it was confirmed that Cllr. Mary Howard would be added as a third Fine Gael candidate in this constituency, as reported by the Clare FM radio website (10th January 2016). Senator Martin Conway has ruled out the possibility of contesting the election as an independent candidate and has turned down offers from Renua and another party to contest the election for them, according to The Clare Herald (12th January 2016).

Clare GAA County Board chairman, Michael “Malty” McDonagh is seeking to contest the election as a Fianna Fail candidate and has called on the party to hold an immediate selection convention and to run three candidates with the aim of taking two seats in Clare. Rita McInerney has also confirmed her intention to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention, as also has Dr. John Hillery (who contested the 2011 election), while Cllr. Clare Colleran-Molloy has also expressed an interest in seeking the Fianna Fail nomination, according to a report in the Clare Champion. According to the Clare People (28th April 2015), Fianna Fail are considering running three candidates, with their convention expected to take place in June. In this article, it suggested that – in addition to Timmy Dooley TD – the convention was likely to be contested by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy, Michael ‘Malty’ McDonagh and Rita McInerney. The three candidate approach is favoured by the local organisation, while party headquarters would prefer to run just two candidates. This convention was expected to be held in early May, but this is now likely to be delayed until the autumn according to the Clare Herald (29th May 2015), with it now expected that three candidates – two male and one female – will be selected. As reported on the Clare Champion website on 19th June 2015, John Hillery withdrew from the contest, with the lack of a clarity as to the scheduling of this convention being a major factor in this decision. As reported on the Clare.FM website, the Fianna Fail selection convention was to take place on 31st July 2015 in the Auburn Lodge Hotel in Ennis. This was contested by Deputy Timmy Dooley and Cllr. Clare Colleran Molloy, as well as Michael McDonagh and Rita McInerney. On the first count, Timmy Dooley won 265 votes (exceeding the quota and ensuring his selection), while Michael McDonagh won 168 votes, Clare Colleran Molloy won 95 votes and Rita McInerney won 28 votes. Michael McDonagh was confirmed as the second candidate to be selected on the following count, finishing with 190 votes to Clare Colleran Molloy’s 136 votes and Rita McInerney’s 43 votes. According to the Clare FM website (29th September 2015), Clare Colleran Molloy was asked by party headquarters to be a third Fianna Fail candidate in this constituency, but had decided not to due to additional work commitments since the holding of the selection convention. On 12th October 2015, however, it was announced that she was being added as the third Fianna Fail candidate in this constituency.

Noeleen Moran was unanimously selected to contest this constituency for Sinn Fein at the party convention on 23rd March 2015. In an interview with the Clare Champion, Sinn Fein party leader, Gerry Adams, said that he was “unsure” if the party would be running a second candidate in Clare.

Roisin Garvey was selected by the Green Party to contest the election for them, as noted by the party on their website on 25th March 2015. However, in August 2015 she withdrew from the election due to family commitments, as reported in the Clare Herald (13th August 2015). It was announced in early January 2016 that Fergal Smith would instead be the Green Party in Clare, as reported by The Clare Hearald (7th January 2016).

Having been expelled from the Labour parliamentary party in May 2015 after he voted against the Government in a vote on Aer Lingus, Michael McNamara was re-admitted to the parliamentary party in September 2015, as noted by The Clare People (17th September 2015). This suggests that he is likely to be the party candidate here at the general election. Indeed, he will be the only candidate to contest the Labour Party selection convention on 11th October 2015, taking place at the West County Hotel in Ennis, as reported on the Clare FM website (4th October 2015). He was indeed selected at this convention.

As reported on the Clare FM website (5th January 2016), Renua Ireland are expected to announce a Clare candidate in January/February 2016.

In early January 2016, it was confirmed that Niamh O’Brien would be the Fis Nua candidate in this constituency, as reported by the Clare FM radio website (10th January 2016).

The Clare Champion (2nd January 2016) reported that Clare GPs were considering the possibility of running a candidate in the general election to highlight the issue of rural practices. According to the Clare FM website (8th January 2016), the likelihood of such a candidate was seen to increase after a “No Doctor, No Village” public meeting on the issue in Corofin on 7th January 2016, which attracted an attendance of over 500 people. As reported by the Clare Champion (19th January 2016), the group did decide to run a candidate and the candidate who was selected to represent this group was Kilmihill-based GP, Michael Harty.

According to the Clare FM website (11th February 2016), Dermot Mulqueen and André Sibo Hakizimana were late additions (as independent candidates) to the candidate listing for this constituency.)

Cork East (4 seats – 15 candidates): Tom Barry FG, David Stanton FG, Noel McCarthy FG, Kevin O’Keeffe FF, Barbara Ahern FF, Sean Sherlock LAB, Pat Buckley SF, Ciara Leonardi Roche AAA, Paul Bradford RN, Ken Curtin SD, Natasha Harty GP, Kieran McCarthy IND, Mary Linehan Foley IND, Ross Cannon IND, Paddy Bullman IND

The Notice of Poll for the Cork East constituency (via the Cork County Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Senator Paul Bradford was undecided as yet as to whether he will contest the next general election here for Renua Ireland, being led by his wife, Lucinda Creighton TD although a report in the Irish Examiner suggests that he is likely to contest this election. It was subsequently confirmed that he was a “declared candidate” for Renua Ireland and was likely to contest this constituency. On 28th June 2015, it was announced that Senator Paul Bradford would be the Renua Ireland candidate for this constituency.

Deputy Sean Sherlock has announced his intention to contest the next general election early in 2015, but the Labour selection convention had yet to take place in Autumn 2015. He was selected to contest the election for Labour on 22nd October 2015.

Natasha Harty will be contesting this constituency for the Green Party.

Deputies David Stanton and Tom Barry were selected to contest this constituency for Fine Gael at the party selection convention at the Garryvoe Hotel on 13th September 2015. As noted below, Fermoy-based Cllr. Noel McCarthy, formerly a Labour Party councillor, was added as a third candidate to the Fine Gael ticket on 28th November 2015. 

Cllr. Aaron O’Sullivan announced his intention to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention for this constituency, as also did Cllr. Kevin O’Keeffe. It was also noted that Cllr. Frank O’Flynn might also contest this selection convention. Former Dail deputy, Michael Ahern, and Kevin O’Keeffe’s brother Ciaran had announced their intention to contest the convention, but both withdrew ahead of the convention, as noted by the Irish Examiner (27th May 2015). This left four candidates to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention – Cllrs. Aaron O’Sullivan, Kevin O’Keeffe and Frank O’Flynn, as well as Fermoy-based Paul Lillis. Kevin O’Keeffe was selected at this convention, which took place on 29th May 2015. As reported in the East Cork Journal (3rd September 2015), Aaron O’Sullivan had been critical of the decision to run just one candidate here and had written to the Fianna Fail national executive in June 2015 seeking to be added to the party ticket. However, in September 2015 it was reported that he had withdrawn his bid to be added to the Fianna Fail ticket.  TheJournal.ie (7th October 2015) has reported on speculation that Barbara Ahern, the daughter of former Fianna Fail TD, Michael Ahern, may be added as a second Fianna Fail candidate here. Barbara Ahern was indeed added as  a second Fianna Fail candidate in this constituency in late November 2015, as reported in The Irish Times (27th November 2015).

According to the Sunday Times (17th May 2015), Cllrs. Melissa Mullane and Kieran McCarthy had both expressed an interest in contesting the Sinn Fein nomination to contest this constituency, as has Deputy Sandra McLellan. The holding of this convention had been delayed, however. On 22nd June 2015, however, it was revealed that Cllr. McCarthy had been expelled from the party and Cllr. Mullane had been suspended following an internal party review of the constituency. A report in the Cork Independent (25th June 2015) suggested that Cllr. McCarthy is now likely to contest this constituency as an independent candidate. Indeed, as reported in the Irish Examiner (28th July 2015), he has now decided to contest the election as an independent candidate. As reported on TheJournal.ie (17th September 20215), Melissa Mullane’s suspension was lifted, following an appeal, in September 2015. The delayed Sinn Fein convention has now been scheduled for Sunday 11th October 2015, according to The Corkman (8th October 2015). The Corkman noted that the Midleton-based Cllr. Pat Buckley would be contesting this selection convention and Cllr. Melissa Mullane was “seriously considering” putting her name forward too, but the intentions of Deputy Sandra McLellan were unknown at that point in time. It was confirmed on 10th October that Deputy McLellan would not seek to contest the election, meaning that Cllr. Buckley was likely to be the selected Sinn Fein candidate as indeed transpired. The Irish Examiner on 1st December 2015 reported on allegations that Deputy McLellan was in talks to run as an Independent Alliance candidate, but these were denied by Sinn Fein party leader, Gerry Adams, as reported by TheJournal.ie (1st December 2015) and also by the Evening Echo (1st December 2015) and The Irish Examiner (1st December 2015).  

On 28th July 2015 it was announced that Ciara Leonardi Roche would be the Anti Austerity Alliance candidate in Cork East.

On 20th October 2015, Ken Curtin was announced as a Social Democrats candidate for this constituency.

As reported by the Evening Echo (8th October 2015), Fermoy-based Cllr. Noel McCarthy  left the Labour Party to join the independent ranks on Cork County Council and he was expected to contest the election in Cork East as an independent candidate. However, there was also speculation that he would join Fine Gael and run as a Fine Gael candidate in the general election. On 27th November 2015, it was confirmed, as reported in The Irish Times (27th November 2015), that Noel McCarthy would be joining Fine Gael and that he would be officially confirmed as a Fine Gael candidate on Saturday 28th November 2015.) Noel McCarthy’s candidacy was officially confirmed by Fine Gael on Monday 30th November 2015.

The Irish Examiner (9th February 2015) had noted that Cllr. Claire Cullinane has declared her intention to contest this constituency, but since then it seems that she has decided not to contest the election. Cllr. Mary Linehan Foley announced on 8th December 2015 that she would be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. In January 2016, it was announced that Ross Cannon would be contesting the election as an independent candidate.)

Cork North-Central (4 seats – 14 candidates): Dara Murphy FG, Julie O’Leary FG, Billy Kelleher FF, Kathleen Lynch LAB, Jonathan O’Brien SF, Thomas Gould SF, Mick Barry AAA, Oliver Moran GP, Ted Tynan WP, Paddy O’Leary REN, Ger Keohane IND, Peter O’Loughlin IND, Thomas Kiely IND/CPPC, Mick Murphy IND

The Notice of Poll for the Cork North-Central constituency (via the Cork City Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Billy Kelleher would  be contesting the Fianna Fail convention according to a report on TheJournal.ie – he was selected to contest the election for the party at a selection convention on 15th December 2014.

In an article in the Evening Echo (21 January), Deputy Kathleen Lynch stated that she intended to contest the next election. The Labour Party convention looked likely to be a contested one, given that Sen. John Gilroy had also confirmed that he wants to be the Labour candidate in this constituency. However, on 20th July 2015 it was confirmed that John Gilroy would not be contesting the nomination and was instead offering his backing to Kathleen Lynch. There was some speculation that Kathleen Lynch might not run after she missed the deadline for candidate nominations ahead of the Labour selection convention, however she subsequently did confirm her candidacy and wou;ld be the only candidate to contest the convention on Thursday 10th September. Deputy Lynch was selected to contest the constituency for Labour at the September 10th selection convention. 

Senator Colm Burke has announced his intention to seek a nomination to contest this constituency for Fine Gael. He did contest the Fine Gael selection convention along with Deputy Dara Murphy on 28th September 2015. This contest was won by Dara Murphy. Senator Burke sought to be added to the ticket as a second Fine Gael candidate. The Irish Times (11th January 2016), however, reported that a female candidate was being considered as the second Fine Gael candidate in this constituency. The Evening Echo ((th January 2016), by contrast, has reported that two more candidates may be added to the Fine Gael ticket here alongside Dara Murphy – Senator Colm Burke and a female candidate. In the end, Fine Gael added Julie O’Leary to the ticket as a second party candidate, as reported by the RTE News website (16th January 2016). As noted by the Evening Echo, she is a 25-year old barrister from Victoria Cross.

Jonathan O’Brien TD was selected to contest this constituency as the party candidate at a selection convention on 27th February 2015. The Evening Echo (7th July 2015) has reported that the party are considering the prospect of running a second candidate here. Cllr. Ger Keohane is viewed as being the most likely to fill this role if the party does add a second candidate, while Cllr. Thomas Gould is also being considered. The Evening Echo (20th October 2015) has now confirmed that a second Sinn Fein candidate will contest this constituency, with a stand-alone convention being held to select this candidate in the Clayton Silversprings Hotel on Friday 30th October 2015, with Cllrs Keohane and Gould expected to contest this. Cllr. Thomas Gould was selected as the second Sinn Fein candidate at this convention. Following the convention Cllr. Ger Keohane left Sinn Fein and in early January 2016 he announced that he would be contesting the election as an independent candidate.

Cllr. Mick Barry was selected to contest this constituency for the Anti-Austerity Alliance in June 2015.

Oliver Moran will be the Green Party candidate for this constituency.

On September 1st it was announced that Thomas Kiely would be an independent candidate in this constituency for The People’s Convention.

As reported in the Irish Times (30th January 2015), Peter O’Loughlin will be contesting this constituency for Identity Ireland.

Former Fianna Fail TD, Noel O’Flynn, had been contemplating a run in this constituency as an independent candidate, but in January 2016 he announced that he had decided not to do so on medical grounds, as reported in The Evening Echo (18th January 2016). 

Cllr. Ted Tyan was selected to contest the constituency for the Workers Party at a meeting in the constituency on 17th September 2015.

Aislinn Tongue confirmed on her Twitter page on 25th December 2015 that she would be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. However, she subsequently decided not to contest the election.

Paddy O’Leary will be contesting this constituency for Renua Ireland, as confirmed by the party in early February 2016.

Independent candidate,  Mick Murphy, was a late addition to the candidate list here, as noted in the Notice of Poll details for this constituency.)

Cork North-West (3 seats – 13 candidates): Aine Collins FG, Michael Creed FG, Michael Moynihan FF, Aindrias Moynihan FF, Nigel Dennehy SF, Jason Fitzgerald REN, Michael O’Donnell CPI, Cormac Manning GP, John Paul O’Shea IND, Steven O’Riordan IND, Diarmuid O’Flynn IND/IND ALL. Shirley Griffin IND/CPPC, Jerry O’Sullivan IND

The Notice of Poll for the Cork North-West constituency (via the Cork County Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Millstreet based, Steven O’Riordan, the brother of disability rights campaigner, Joanne O’Riordan, is running as an independent candidate in this constituency, as noted on The Irish Times website on 3rd February 2015.

Cllr. John Paul O’Shea will make a decision over the next few weeks as to whether he will contest the election and also as to whether he will run in Cork North-West or Cork East if he decides to run. As noted in the Irish Times (15th October 2015), he has now decided to contest this constituency as an independent candidate.

27-year old, Nigel Dennehy, was selected to contest this constituency for Sinn Fein at the party convention at the Riverside Park Hotel in Macroom on 9th April 2015. This convention was also contested by Mark Bowdren.

Deputies Aine Collins and Michael Creed were selected at the Fine Gael party convention on 21st June 2015. Deputy Michael Moynihan and Cllr. Aindrias Moynihan were selected to contest the election at the Fianna Fail selection convention in Millstreet on July 3rd 2015.

Cormac Manning will be the Green Party candidate for this constituency.

On September 1st 2015 it was announced that Shirley Griffin would be an independent candidate in this constituency for The People’s Convention.

On 16th October 2015 it was announced that Diarmuid O’Flynn would be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate associated with the Independent Alliance grouping.

Jason Fitzgerald will be the Renua Ireland candidate in this constituency.

In late 2015 it was announced that Alex Homits would be contesting this constituency for the Communist Party of Ireland. However, the party seems to have changed its candidate here to Michael O’Donnell, based on the details provided on the local party’s Facebook page in January/February 2016.

As noted in the link to his campaign song video on YouTube, Ballingeary-based Jerry O’Sullivan will be contesting this election as an independent candidate.)

Cork South-Central (4 seats – 15 candidates): Jerry Buttimer FG, Simon Coveney FG, Micheal Martin FF, Michael McGrath FF, Ciaran Lynch LAB, Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire SF, Lorna Bogue GP, Jim O’Connell PBPA, Fiona Ryan AAA, Ciaran Kenneally REN, Mick Finn IND/IND ALL, Diarmaid O Cadhla IND/CPPC, Michael Mohally IND/CPPC, Elizabeth Hourihane IND, Joe Harris IND

The Notice of Poll for the Cork South-Central constituency (via the Cork City Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Michael McGrath and Micheal Martin were to contest the Fianna Fail convention according to a report on TheJournal.ie – they were both selected to contest the election at this convention, which took place on 12th December.

Deputies Jerry Buttimer and Simon Coveney were selected to contest this consituency for Fine Gael at the party selection convention on 28th September 2015. 

The Evening Echo has noted that Cllr. Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire will be seeking a nomination to contest this constituency for Sinn Fein and has suggested that the party may opt for a two-candidate strategy, involving Cllr. Chris O’Leary also. The Sinn Fein selection convention was held on 21st February 2015, but this ended in a tie between O Laoghaire and O’Leary and the convention was to be re-run at a later date, in accordance with party rules. This second convention took place on Saturday 14th March, with Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire being selected at this.

Lorna Bogue, the chair of Young Greens, has expressed an interest in contesting this constituency for the Green Party. In the Evening Echo (19th May 2015), former Dail Deputy, Dan Boyle, confirmed that he would not be contesting this election and also confirmed that Lorna Bogue would be the Green Party candidate here.

Rose Leadbetter was selected to contest this constituency for the Anti-Austerity Alliance in June 2015. In late November 2015 it was announced that Fiona Ryan would be the Anti-Austerity Alliance candidate in this constituency, as Rose Leadbetter has withdrawn from the election for personal reasons.

Deputy Ciaran Lynch was selected as the Labour Party candidate at the party selection convention on 13th July 2015.

On September 1st it was announced that Diarmaid O Cadhla would be an independent candidate in this constituency for The People’s Convention. It has now (January 2016) been confirmed that a second People’s Convention candidate – Michael Mohally – will be contesting this constituency. 

The Irish Independent (5th October 2015) reports that Cllr. Mick Finn has confirmed that he will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. He will be contesting the election as an Independent Alliance candidate.

In late January 2016 it was announced that Ciaran Kenneally would be the Renua Ireland candidate in this constituency.

As referred to in The Examiner (13th January 2016), Elizabeth Hourihane will be contesting the election as an independent candidate.

In February 2016 it was announced that Douglas-based Cllr. Joe Harris will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.)

Cork South-West (3 seats – 11 candidates): Noel Harrington FG, Jim Daly FG, Margaret Murphy-O’Mahony FF, Michael McCarthy LAB, Rachel McCarthy SF, Johnny O’Mahony GP, Theresa Heaney CD, Alan Coleman IND, Michael Collins IND, Fiona Pettit O’Leary IND, Gillian Powell IND

The Notice of Poll for the Cork South-West constituency (via the Cork County Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Independent councillor, Michael Collins, said (after topping the poll in the West Cork electoral area in May 2014) that he was contemplating being a candidate at the next general election. In November 2015 it was confirmed that he would be contesting the election as an independent candidate.

Cllr. Margaret Murphy O’Mahony announced her intention to seek a Fianna Fail nomination to contest this constituency. According to The Southern Star, the Fianna Fail convention would also be contested by Gillian Coughlan and Senator Denis O’Donovan. After considering his options, Cllr. Alan Coleman has also decided to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention, as reported in The Southern Star (11th February 2015). This convention has been scheduled to take place in The Martime Hotel in Bantry on 21st June 2015. Ahead of this convention. Senator O’Donovan announced that he was withdrawing on the basis that he felt the party should be going with a one-candidate strategy for this constituency. Cllr. Margaret Murphy-O’Mahony was selected at this selection convention. With Cllrs. Alan Coleman and Patrick Gerard Murphy also withdrawing ahead of the convention, along with Senator O’Donovan, the only other person to contest this convention was Gillian Coughlan, as noted by the West Cork Times website. According to the Evening Echo (22nd June 2015), Cllr. Alan Coleman claimed that he had withdrawn as “the party leadership had failed to support his candidacy in any meaningful way” and said he was considering whether to contest this constituency as an independent candidate, or not. On 25th June 2015, it was reported that he would be leaving Fianna Fail and contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. 

According to The Southern Star (10th January 2015), meetings were to be held during the weekend of 10/11 January 2015 between Shane Ross and independents, Michael Collins and Declan Hurley. Cllr. Rachel McCarthy announced her attention to seek the Sinn Fein party nomination to contest this constituency. This convention took place on 20th February 2015 in Clonakilty,chaired by Jonathan O’Brien TD, and Rachel McCarthy was selected at this.

Deputies Noel Harrington and Jim Daly were selected to contest the election for Fine Gael at the party selection convention in Dunmanway on 11th September 2015.

Deputy Michael McCarthy was selected to contest this constituency for Labour on 23rd October 2015.

Johnny O’Mahony will be the Green Party candidate in this constituency.

In early January 2016, it was announced that Fiona O’Leary would be an independent candidate in this constituency. It was also announced in January 2016 that Gillian Powell of the Bandon Flood Group would be an independent candidate in this constituency. The announcement of her candidacy was covered in an article in The Southern Star (27th January 2016).

According to the Southern Star (3rd February 2016), Theresa Heaney will be contesting this constituency for the Catholic Democrats.)

Donegal (5 seats – 16 candidates): Joe McHugh FG, Paddy Harte Jr. FG, Charlie McConalogue FF, Pat The Cope Gallagher FF, Pearse Doherty SF, Padraig MacLochlainn SF, Gary Doherty SF, Paula Flanagan GP, Thomas Pringle IND, Niamh Kennedy IND/IND ALL, Frank McBrearty IND, Tim Jackson IND, Dessie Shiels IND, Ian McGarvey IND, Michael Mooney IND, Cordelia Nic Fhearraigh FN

The Notice of Poll for the Donegal constituency (via the Donegal Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Local media reports note that Sinn Fein is contemplating running three candidates in this constituency at the next general election. Sinn Fein did select their two incumbent Dail deputies, Pearse Doherty and Padraig MacLochlainn, at the party convention on 23rd February 2015, but will consider adding a third candidate in the next few months. The Donegal Daily (1st September 2015) website has reported that Sinn Fein are contemplating running Cora Harvey, former county councilor and Mayor of Donegal, as a third candidate in this constituency, with a decision to be made on this in early September. Cllr. Gary Doherty has announced that he would like to be considered as the third Sinn Fein candidate here, if the party adds another candidate, as noted on the Highland Radio (12th October 2015) website.  As noted on the Donegal Now (12th October 2015) website, a decision on adding a third candidate here is likely to be made at the weekend (17th October) by the Sinn Fein Ard Chomairle with a selection convention to be held in the following week if a decision to add a third candidate is taken. On 17th October 2015, it was confirmed that the Sinn Fein Ard Chomhairle had agreed to the addition of a third Sinn Fein candidate and Cllr. Gary Doherty is expected to be confirmed as that third candidate in a party meeting in the weekend of 24th-25th October. He was indeed officially selected as the third Sinn Fein candidate at a “Super Sunday” selection convention, held at the Villa Rose Hotel in Ballybofey on 8th November 2015, as noted on the Highland Radio website.

Peter Casey from Dragons Den had announced that he intends to contest the next general election as an independent candidate, but had not decided yet on whether to run in Donegal or a Dublin constituency. On 25th March 2015, it was announced (The Irish Times) that he would be contesting the Donegal constituency. However after announcing his intention to contest the election, he announced in January 2016 that he had decided against contesting the election as he “didn’t believe it right to con the people of Donegal or himself that he could make a difference” as an independent TD.

In early 2015 Lucinda Creighton had announced that the new party (Renua) that she is involved with will run one or two candidates, depending on “the candidates and the geography”, in Donegal at the next election. Emer McGuinness, the manager of Donegal Mart, has expressed an interest in contesting this constituency for Renua Ireland, according to the Ocean FM website. However, as noted on the Donegal Now website (16th August 2015), she subsequently withdrew her name from contention. Noel Cunningham was also approached in terms of potentially running for Renua, but on 24th September 2015 he announced that he could not run in the election due to other commitments. 

According to a report on TheJournal.ie, former Tanaiste, Mary Coughlan, is considering her options in terms of whether or not to seek a Fianna Fail nomination to contest the general election. This was also been reported on the Donegal Now website. The January 23rd 2015 edition of The Donegal News mentioned Cllr. Seamus O’Domhnaill, Sen. Brian O’Domhnaill and former MEP, Pat the Cope Gallagher, in addition to Deputy Charlie McConalogue, as being amongst the list of other people who who could also be potentially interested in contesting the Fianna Fail selection convention.The January 26th 2015 edition of The Donegal News reported that the Killybegs Comhairle Ceanntair has nominated her to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention, although she has yet to decide whether or not she will be accepting this nomination. A report in the Irish Times (13th April 2015) suggested that, according to local sources, she was unlikely to put her name before the selection convention. The Donegal News (20th March 2015) reports that Pat “The Cope” Gallagher may also be seeking to contest the Fianna Fail nomination. It also suggests that Cllrs. Liam Blaney, Seamus O’Domhnaill and Ciaran Brogan and Seanator Brian O’Domhnaill may also be interested in contesting this convention, in addition to Deputy Charlie McConalogue. The Donegal News (5th June 2015), however, reported that Fianna Fail was likely to run just two candidates in Donegal, with these likely to be Deputy Charlie McConalogue and former Dail deputy/former MEP, Pat the Cope Gallagher. In an interview with the Donegal News (24th July 2015), Micheal Martin supported the idea of Pat the Cope Gallagher being Fianna Fail’s second candidate, while noting that internal opinion polls pointed to the party having prospects of a second seat in Donegal. Claudia Kennedy has announced that she intends to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention, as noted on the Ocean FM website (7th September 2015). The Donegal Daily (19th September 2015) reports that local party members had been asked as to whether they wanted two or three candidates in Donegal at the election, but noted that party headquarters have effectively decided that only two candidates will be selected. Deputy Charlie McConalogue and former Dail deputy/former MEP, Pat the Cope Gallagher would appear to be highly likely to be those two candidates.  The Donegal News (7th September 2015) reported that six people have put their names forward to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention, which will take place at the Clanree Hotel in Letterkenny on October 4th 2015 – these include Deputy Charlie McConalogue, former Dail Deputy and MEP, Pat the Cope Gallagher, as well as Claudia Kennedy and Councillors Seamus O’Domhnaill, James Pat McDaid and Liam Blaney. On 1st October it was noted that Seamus O Domhnaill was withdrawing from the contest and throwing his support behind James Pat McDaid. The candidates who did contest the selection convention were Claudia Kennedy, Pat The Cope Gallagher, James Pat McDaid and Charlie McConalogue. In this contest, Pat The Cope Gallagher won 332 votes, Charlie McConalogue won 261 votes, James Pat McDaid won 86 votes and Claudia Kennedy won 29 votes, as reported on the Donegal Now website (4th October 2015). According to the Donegal Now (15th October 2015) website, there is now an expectation that Cllr. James Pat McDaid will be added as a third Fianna Fail candidate in this constituency. In January 2016, it was confirmed that no third candidate woud be added to the Fianna Fail ticket, as reported by the Donegal News (15th January 2016).

The January 23rd 2015 edition of The Donegal News noted that Cllr. John O’Donnell has confirmed that he will contest the general election. But in January 2016 it was revealed that he would be withdrawing from the election contest, as reported on the Donegal Now website (14th January 2016).

The DonegalNew website (30th April 2015) has suggested that entertainer, Noel Cunningham, has been linked as a potential candidate in this constituency for Fine Gael. The Donegal News (3rd July 2015) newspaper has reported that the Fine Gael seelction convention is not likely to take place until late September. The Ocean FM website (2nd September) has confirmed that the Fine Gael selection convention will take place on 27th September 2015 in Letterkenny. Deputies Joe McHugh and Dinny McGinley were expected to contest this, but there was also the possibility of other candidates coming forward to contest this before the close of nominations on 11th September 2015. Dinny McGinley subsequently decided not to contest the nomination, declaring his intention to retire from politics at the next general election. Deputy Joe McHugh and Cllr. John Ryan were nominated to contest the convention, which took place in the Radisson Hotel in Letterkenny on 27th September 2015. Cllr. Ryan withdrew at the convention however, leaving Joe McHugh to be selected as the Fine Gael candidate without a contest. The Irish Times (11th January 2016) reported that a female candidate was being considered as the second Fine Gael candidate in this constituency. As well as noting claims that Paddy Harte was being considered as a second candidate earlier, The Donegal news (13th January 2016) has reported that Donegal Town-based auctioneer Keith Anderson is being considered as a potential second candidate by the local party. But, as reported in The Irish Times (15th January 2015), Paddy Harte Jr. was ultimately added as the second Fine Gael candidate in this constituency.

According to the Donegal News (20th March 2015), Labour were expected to run Martin Farren in this constituency. However, in January 2016 it was confirmed that Labour would not be contesting this constituency, as reported on the Donegal New (28th January 2016) website.

Cllr. Niamh Kennedy will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate for the Independents Alliance, as announced on 29th June 2015.

Deputy Thomas Pringle will be contesting this constituency again as an independent candidate.

As reported by the Donegal Now website (27th January 2016), Cllr. Frank McBrearty will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.

The Donegal Daily (5th October 2015) reported that independent councillor, Dessie Shiels, is expected to contest the election. His candidature was confirmed early in January 2016, as reported on the Highland Radio website (7th January 2015). 

The Donegal Now website (10th December 2015) has reported that 26-year old Tim Jackson from Ballybofey will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.

Gortahork-based Paula Flanagan will be contesting this constituency for the Green Party, as reported by the Donegal Now website (7th January 2016).

On 21st January 2016 it was confirmed that Cllr. Ian McGarvey will be contesting the election here as an independent candidate, as reported on the Donegal Now website (21st January 2016). At 85 years of age, he will be the oldest candidate in the state at these elections – the Highland Radio website (21st January 2016) suggests that he would be the oldest ever general election candidate.

As noted by the Donegal Now website (12th February 2016), independent anti-water charges activist Michael Mooney and Fís Nua’s Cordelia Nic Fhearraigh were late additions to the Donegal candidates list.) 

Dublin Central (3 seats – 15 candidates): Paschal Donohoe FG, Mary Fitzpatrick FF, Joe Costello LAB, Mary Lou McDonald SF, Gary Gannon SD, Éilis Ryan WP, Ian Noel Smyth GP, Diana O’Dwyer AAA, Cormac McKay DDI-NCM, Jacqui Gilbourne REN, Christy Burke IND, Cieran Perry IND, Maureen O’Sullivan IND, William D.J. Gorman IND, Kerry Guinan IND

The Notice of Poll for the Dublin Central constituency (via the Dublin City Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Deputy Joe Costello was selected as the Labour Party candidate at the party convention on 26th March 2015.

Cllr. Christy Burke, who was the Lord Mayor of Dublin between 2014-15, had said that he is considering running in this election as an independent candidate. It was later confirmed that he would be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.

Deputy Paschal Donohoe was selected to contest this constituency at the Fine Gael selection convention in Stoneybatter on 27th April 2015.

Cllr. Éilis Ryan will be the Workers Party candidate in this constituency.

Thejournal.ie (12th May 2015) had reported that Finglas-based, Cllr. David Costello and European Election candidate, Mary Fitzpatrick, would be contesting the Fianna Fail selection convention. However, when nominations to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention finally closed on 28th August 2015 it was confirmed that Cllr. Costello would not be contesting the nomination, but 2014 local election candidate, Brian Mohan, and long-time party member, Denise McMorrow, would be contesting this instead along with Mary Fitzpatrick, as reported in the Evening Herald (29th August 2015). The expectation that Fianna Fail headquarters will determine that a female candidate be selected here has lead to Brian Mohan withdrawing from the convention, as reported in the Irish Independent (18th September 2015). Denise McMorrow withdrew at the convention, which took place on 7th October 2015, and Cllr. Mary Fitzpatrick was selected as the Fianna Fail candidate.

Deputy Mary Lou McDonald was selected as the Sinn Fein candidate at the party selection convention on 11th June 2015.

Cllr. Cieran Perry will contest this constituency as an independent candidate.

As announced in the Irish Examiner on 8th July 2015, Andrew Kelly was the second independent candidate associated with the Irish Postmasters Union to be declared.

On 4th September 2015, it was announced that Cllr. Gary Gannon would be contesting the next election for the Social Democrats.

Diana O’Dwyer will be contesting this constituency for the Anti-Austerity Alliance.

Ian Noel Smyth will be contesting this constituency for the Green Party.

Cormac McKay will be contesting this constituency (and also Dublin North-West) for Direct Democracy Ireland.

The Irish Postmasters Union had decided to run a candidate – Andrew Kelly – here, as reported on the UTV Ireland website (7th July 2016). However, on 1st February 2016 it was announced that the Irish Postmasters Union candidates would not be contesting the election after all, as reported on the RTE News website (1st February 2016).

In late January 2016 it was announced that Jacqui Gilbourne would be the Renua Ireland candidate in this constituency.)  

Dublin Mid-West (4 seats – 15 candidates): Frances Fitzgerald FG, Derek Keating FG, John Curran FF, Joanna Tuffy LAB, Eoin Ó Broin SF, Gino Kenny PBPA, Anne-Marie McNally SD, Lorraine Hennessy WP, Tom Kivlehan GP, Christopher Healy DDI-NCM, Francis Timmons IND, Paul Gogarty IND/IND ALL, Clare Leonard IND, Patrick Akpoveta IND, Haroon Khan IND

The Notice of Poll for the Dublin Mid-West constituency (via the Dublin County Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(According a report on TheJournal.ie, former TD and government whip, John Curran, is contemplating whether, or not, to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention here, as also is sitting councillor, Trevor Gilligan and 2014 County Council election candidate, Catriona McClean. John Curran was selected to be the Fianna Fail candidate at the party selection convention on 27th May 2015. He won 29 votes at this convention, with 17 votes for Gilligan and 9 for McClean. It has been suggested that Catriona McClean may be added to the ticket later in order to meet gender quota requirements. 

Eoin Ó Broin was selected as the Sinn Fein candidate at the party selection convention on 18th March 2015.

Deputies Frances Fitzgerald and Derek Keating were selected as the Fine Gael candidates at the party selection convention – the first of the Fine Gael conventions – on 26th March 2015.

Lorraine Hennessy, who just missed out on a seat in Clondalkin in the 2014 Local Elections, will be the Workers Party candidate here.

Deputies Joanna Tuffy and Robert Dowds were selected to contest this constituency for Labour at the party selection convention on 4th June 2015. On 21st September 2015, however, Robert Dowds announced that he would not be contesting the general election, as he felt the party could only win one seat in the constituency and he believed that Joanna Tuffy was better placed to win this. 

Cllr. Gino Kenny was officially selected as the People Before Profit candidate for this constituency at their selection convention on 15th September 2015.

On 4th September 2015, it was announced that Anne-Marie McNally would be contesting the next election for the Social Democrats.

As reported on TheJournal.ie (18th September 2015), former Green Party TD, Paul Gogarty, who is currently an independent councillor for the Lucan electoral area, will be contesting the election here as an independent candidate associated with the Independent Alliance.

According to the Direct Democracy Ireland website, Christopher Healy will be their candidate in this constituency. 

Clare Leonard will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.

In early February 2016, the Green Party website had noted that Ronan Rafferty would be the Green Party candidate in this constituency. However, just before the close of nominations, the party candidate was changed with Tom Kivlehan now the Green Party candidate for this constituency.

https://dublincountyreturningofficer.com/index.php/8-general-information/9-nominated-candidates-2016-dublin-mid-westhttps://dublincountyreturningofficer.com/index.php/8-general-information/9-nominated-candidates-2016-dublin-mid-westPatrick Akpoveta and Dr. Haroon Khan were late additions to the officially nominated general election candidates list for the constituency.)

Dublin Fingal (5 seats – 15 candidates): Alan Farrell FG, James Reilly FG,  Darragh O’Brien FF, Lorraine Clifford-Lee FF, Brendan Ryan LAB, Louise O’Reilly SF, Joe O’Brien GP, Terry Kelleher AAA, Gerry Molloy REN, Clare Daly IND, Barry Martin IND, Roslyn Fuller IND, Tony Murphy IND/IND ALL, Marcus de Brun IND, Fergal O’Connell IND

The Notice of Poll for the Dublin Fingal constituency (via the Dublin County Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(The Green Party selection convention took place on 25th November 2014 and Joe O’Brien was selected.

Darragh O’Brien was to contest the Fianna Fail convention according to a report on the journal.ie with the North County Leader claiming that the party will be selecting just one candidate at the convention, with a strong possibility that O’Brien will be unopposed. This convention  took place on 16th December 2014 and O’Brien was selected. On 26th September 2015 it was announced that Lorraine Clifford would be added as a second Fianna Fail candidate in this constituency. 

As noted in the 15-31 January edition of Metro Ireland, Dr. Roslyn Fuller is to contest this constituency as an independent candidate.

Louise O’Reilly, who is based in Crumlin, was selected to contest the constituency for Sinn Fein at a party convention on 26th March 2015.

Deputy Brendan Ryan was selected to contest this constituency for the Labour Party at the party selection convention on 29th April 2015.

Deputies Alan Farrell and James Reilly were selected at the Fine Gael selection convention in the Grand Hotel Malahide on 10th June 2015.

Terry Kelleher has been selected as the Anti Austerity Alliance candidate in this constituency.

As suggested by an Irish Times report (29th September 2015), Cllr. Tony Murphy will contest this constituency as an independent candidate alligned with the Independent Alliance.

On 8th October 2015, it was announced that Cllr. Keith Redmond would be leaving the Fine Gael party to join Renua Ireland and was expected to be confirmed as a candidate in this constituency for his new party, but this has yet to be confirmed.

An Irish Times (31st October 2015) report on the Right2Change political alliance identifies Deputy Clare Daly as being an independent candidate in this constituency who has alligned herself with that movement. Deputy Clare Daly will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate – United Left is no longer registered as a party. Barry Martin had been selected as a People Before Profit Alliance candidate, but appeared in January 2016 to be now contesting the election as an independent candidate, aligned with Deputy Claire Daly. 

In Winter 2015/16, it was revealed that Gerry Molloy would be the Renua Ireland candidate in this constituency.

According to details provided on the whichcandidate.ie website, Dr. Marcus de Brun will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.

Fergal O’Connell was a late addition to the candidates list here.)

Dublin Bay North (5 seats – 20 candidates): Stephanie Regan FG, Naoise O Muiri FG, Richard Bruton FG, Deirdre Heney FF, Sean Haughey FF, Aodhan O Riordain LAB, Micheál MacDonncha SF, Denise Mitchell SF, Michael O’Brien AAA, John Lyons PBPA, Terence Flanagan RN, Cian O’Callaghan SD, Donna Cooney GP, Finian McGrath IND/IND ALL, Tommy Broughan IND, Averil Power IND, Jimmy Guerin IND, Paul Clarke IND, Damien O’Neill IND, Proinsias Ó Conaráin IND

The Notice of Poll for the Dublin Bay North constituency (via the Dublin City Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Dick O’Leary from Coolock has said that he is contemplating being an independent candidate in the next general election.

Finian McGrath “seems certain to contest the next general election as a member of the Alliance headed by TDs Shane Ross and Michael Fitzmaurice”, according to an article in the Dublin People. It was later confirmed that Deputy Finian McGrath would be one of the independent TDs who would be associated with the Independent Alliance grouping. 

The same article suggested that, while he was favourable towards the new party being formed by Lucinda Creighton, Deputy Terence Flanagan had yet to decide whether to run for this party at the next election. However, on 12th March 2015 it was confirmed on Prime Time that he would be a candidate for Renua Ireland. As a member of the new Renua Ireland party, he is a “declared candidate” who is likely to contest this constituency. On 14th June 2015, it was announced that he had been officially selected to contest this constituency for the party.

The Fianna Fail selection convention was expected to be a very competitive one, with Senator Averil Power, Cllr. Deirdre Heney and Cllr. Sean Haughey all expected to be contenders here. Cllr. Tom Brabazon had also indicated his intention to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention. However Averil Power announced her resignation from Fianna Fail on 25th May 2015 and was yet to decide on whether she will contest this constituency as an independent candidate. In August 2015, she announced that she would be contesting the election as an independent candidate, as reported by the Evening Herald (24th August 2015).) Deirdre Heney was selected at the party convention, which took place on 24th June 2015. Cllrs. Sean Haughey and Tom Brabazon, as well as Aileen Woods, had also been in the running to contest this convention, but Aileen Woods and Tom Brabazon withdrew before the convention vote took place. Having narrowly lost out in the convention vote to Cllr. Heney, according to the Dublin People (29th June 2015), there is speculation that Sean Haughey may yet be added to the party ticket, but also speculation that he may yet decide to contest the constituency as an independent candidate. The Dublin People (31st August 2015) reported that Cllr. Haughey was “edging closer” to being added to the Fianna Fail ticket here. It was confirmed that Sean Haughey had been added to the ticket by party headquarters on 8th September 2015.

Cllr. Denise Mitchell and Cllr. Micheál MacDonncha were selected as Sinn Fein candidates at the party selection convention on 19th March 2015. Cllr. Michael O’Brien was selected to contest this constituency for the Anti-Austerity Alliance on 23rd March 2015.

Cllr. John Lyons was officially announced as People Before Profit’s general election candidate for Dublin Bay North on 25th March 2015. According to the Alliance’s website in Summer 2015, Dave O’Farrell would also be contesting this constituency for the People Before Profit Alliance but he is no longer listed as a candidate here.

Donna Cooney and Cllr. David Healy were both selected to contest this constituency for the Green Party in Autumn 2015, however Cllr. Healy subsequently withdrew from the contest.

The Fine Gael selection convention was held on 30th April 2015. The party headquarters directive was that two candidates, including at least one female candidate, were to be selected at this. Deputy Richard Bruton lost out at this, with Stephanie Regan and Cllr. Naoise O Muiri being selected. Young Fine Gael Director of Policy, Aoibhinn Tormey, also contested this selection convention. This result has been interpreted as tactical voting on the part of local delegates to ensure that Cllr. O Muiri was selected, in the expectation that Deputy Bruton would be added to the ticket anyway. Indeed, Fine Gael’s Executive Council is expected to add him to the ticket today (May 1st) following a unanimous vote for him be added to the ticket on the part of the local membership at the convention. And indeed, he was added to the party ticket by the Fine Gael executive council on the morning of May 1st 2015, literally hours after the selection vote.

The Labour Party is expected to hold its selection convention in September 2015, with Deputy Aodhan O Riordain expected to be the only candidate contesting this, according to the Dublin People (31st August 2015). Aodhan O Riordain was indeed selected at the party convention on 3rd September 2015.

On 24th September 2015, it was announced that Cllr. Cian O’Callaghan would be contesting this constituency for the Social Democrats.

In November 2015, it was confirmed that Damien O’Neill would be contesting the election as an independent candidate, associated with the Right2Change grouping/policy principles.

Candidate nomination details provided on the ballot paper identify Deputy Tommy Broughan as a candidate aligned with the Independents 4 Change grouping.

As noted in the Irish Independent (6th October 2015), Cllr. Jimmy Guerin has announced that he will be contesting the election here as an independent candidate.

It had been announced that Tom Darcy would be contesting this constituency for Direct Democracy Ireland, but he was not on the final list of officially nominated candidates.)

Dublin North-West (3 seats – 11 candidates): Noel Rock FG, Paul McAuliffe FF, John Lyons LAB, Dessie Ellis SF, Cathleen Carney Boud SF, Roisin Shortall SD, Andrew Keegan PBPA, Caroline Conroy GP, Jimmy Dignam WP, Cormac MacKay DDI-NCM, Bernie Hughes IND

The Notice of Poll for the Dublin North-West constituency (via the Dublin City Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Dessie Ellis TD was selected to contest the constituency for Sinn Fein at the party’s selection convention on 17th February 2015. One of the party’s two councillors in the Ballymun-Finglas area – Noeleen Reilly and Cathleen Carney Boud – will be added to the party ticket, with a decision on this expected in May 2015. Cllr. Carney Boud was selected in May 2015.

Cllr. Paul McAuliffe has announced his intention to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention. Laura Reid was also expected to contest this convention, which is scheduled to take place in the Regency Hotel in Dublin 9 on 8th July 2015. Paul McAuliffe was selected to contest this constituency for Fianna Fail at this convention. Laura Reid withdrew from the contest on the night of the convention.

Jimmy Dignam will be the Workers Party candidate in this constituency.

Deputy John Lyons was selected as the Labour Party candidate at the party selection convention on 16th June 2015.

On 30th June 2015 Cllr. Noel Rock announced his intention to contest the Fine Gael selection convention for this constituency. He was selected at the convention, which took place on 7th July 2015.

As announced on 15th July 2015, Deputy Roisin Shortall is a founding member of the new Social Democrats party and will be contesting this constituency for that party.

The People Before Profit Alliance website has confirmed that Cllr. Andrew Keegan will be contesting the general election here for the alliance.

Cormac McKay will be contesting this constituency (and also Dublin Central) for Direct Democracy Ireland.

Bernie Hughes will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate, alligned with the Right2Change grouping/policy platform.)

Dublin Rathdown (3 seats – 9 candidates): Alan Shatter FG, Josepha Madigan FG, Mary White FF, Alex White LAB, Sorcha Nic Cormaic SF, Catherine Martin GP, Alan Daveron REN, Shane Ross IND/IND ALL, Peter Mathews IND

The Notice of Poll for the Dublin Rathdown constituency (via the Dublin County Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(A report in the Irish Times has noted that Alex White will contest this constituency and will not instead move into the neighbouring Dublin South-West five seater.

Cllr. Liam Dockery, Cllr. Shay Brennan and Senator Mary White all declared their intention to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention. This convention took place in Goatstown on 2nd March 2015. Senator Mary White was selected at this, winning the contest on the first count according to The Irish Times.

The Sinn Fein selection convention is to take place on 2nd April 2015. Sorcha Nic Cormaic was selected as the Sinn Fein candidate at this convention.

Nicola Curry was selected to contest this constituency for the People Before Profit Alliance, but has since withdrawn from the contest.

Deputy Shane Ross is one of the independent TDs associated with the Independent Alliance grouping.

Alex White TD was selected to contest this constituency for Labour at the party selection convention on 30th April.

With Deputy Olivia Mitchell retiring from politics, as reported by the Irish Independent (31st August 2015), the Fine Gael selection convention here is expected to be contested by Deputy Alan Shatter and Councillors Neale Richmond, Josepha Madigan and Barry Saul. As noted by The Herald (2nd October 2015), the candidates contesting the Fine Gael convention, taking place in Goatstown on 2nd October 2015, will include Alan Shatter, Josepha Madigan and Neale Richmond, as well as well as John Kennedy. A decision to select one male and one female candidate at this ensured the selection of Josepha Madigan, while Alan Shatter won the vote for the other nomination, edging out Neale Richmond by a nine-vote margin.

Alan Daveron will be contesting this constituency for Renua Ireland, as confirmed by the party in early February 2016.

Patrick O’Connell had initially appeared on the list of nominated candidates (as an independent) but appears to have withdrawn just before the deadline for doing so.)

Dublin South-Central (4 seats – 13 candidates): Catherine Byrne FG, Catherine Ardagh FF, Eric Byrne LAB, Aengus O Snodaigh SF, Maire Devine SF, Bríd Smith PBPA, Oisín Ó Halmhain GP, Michael Gargan REN, Liam Coyne SD, Neville Bradley DDI-NCM, Joan Collins IND, Paul Hand IND, Richard Murray IND

The Notice of Poll for the Dublin South-Central constituency (via the Dublin City Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Deputy Aengus O Snodaigh was nominated to contest this constituency at the Sinn Fein convention on 4th February 2015. Cllr. Maire Devine was selected to also contest this constituency for Sinn Fein on 21st May 2015.

The Green Party convention here was expected to take place in early April 2015, but it now looks as if this will not take place until July 2015. In August 2015, it was confirmed that Oisín Ó Halmhain would be their candidate here. 

Deputy Catherine Byrne was selected to contest this constituency at the Fine Gael selection convention at the Hilton Dublin Hotel in Kilmainham on 22nd April 2015. This was a contested convention and the other candidate was Robert Foley.

Deputy Michael Conaghan announced that he would not be contesting the election for Labour on 29th June 2015. The other sitting Dail deputy, Eric Byrne, as well as Cllr. Rebecca Moynihan, have both expressed an interest in contesting the party convention, though it is suggested that Labour may just run one candidate here. Eric Byrne TD was selected as the party candidate at the Labour Party convention on 13th July 2015. 

Deputy Joan Collins will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate – United Left is no longer registered as a party.

Cllrs. Catherine Ardagh and Daithi de Roise had both expressed their intention to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention here. A decision by Fianna Fail headquarters that a female candidate would be selected here left Daithi de Roiste claiming that he had been blocked from contesting the election here, as reported in the Irish Independent (18th September 2015. Cllr. Catherine Ardagh was selected to contest this constituency for Fianna Fail at the party selection convention on 8th October 2015.

On 8th October 2015 Cllr. Paul Hand announced that he would be contesting the constituency as an independent candidate.

Michael Gargan will be the Renua Ireland candidate in this constituency.

Neville Bradley will be contesting this constituency for Direct Democracy Ireland.

On 8th January 2016, it was announced that Liam Coyne would be the Social Democrats candidate in this constituency.)

Dublin Bay South (4 seats – 14 candidates): Eoghan Murphy FG, Kate O’Connell FG, Jim O’Callaghan FF, Kevin Humphries LAB, Chris Andrews SF, Annette Mooney PBPA, Eamon Ryan GP, Lucinda Creighton RN, Gleanna Lynch SD, Mannix Flynn IND, William D.J. Gorman IND, Alan MacStiofan IND, John Dominic Keigher IND, Eoin Tierney IND

The Notice of Poll for the Dublin Bay South constituency (via the Dublin City Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Lucinda Creighton TD is the leader of the new Renua Ireland party and is a “declared candidate” for that party, who is likely to contest this constituency. On 14th June 2015, it was announced that she had been officially selected to contest this constituency for the party.

A report on TheJournal.ie noted that Eamon Ryan will seek to contest this constituency for the Green Party – he would be effectively moving constituency but he was a councillor in this area before he won a Dail seat in Dublin South in 2002. This was confirmed in his selection to contest this constituency in January 2015.

Chris Andrews was selected to contest this constituency for Sinn Fein at the party convention in the Pearse Centre on Pearse Street on 5th February 2015.

Jim O’Callaghan was selected as the Fianna Fail candidate at the party selection convention in the Bewley’s Hotel, Ballsbridge, on 11th March 2015. This convention was not contested.

The Fine Gael selection convention was scheduled to take place on 16th April 2015 and was to be contested by Cllrs. Kate O’Connell and Kieran Binchy, as well as Deputy Eoghan Murphy. At this convention, which was held in the Alexander Hotel in Dublin City, Kate O’Connell and Eoghan Murphy were selected to contest this constituency for Fine Gael. Cllr. Kieran Binchy and 2014 local election candidate, Linda Shea O’Farren, lost out at this convention.

Senator Ivana Bacik has noted her intention to seek a party nomination to contest this constituency for the Labour Party, as noted in the Irish Times (9th June 2015). Deputy Kevin Humphries, however, was the only candidate to contest the Labour Party selection convention, which took place on 20th July 2015.

According to the People Before Profit Alliance website, Annette Mooney will be their candidate in this constituency.

On 24th September 2015, it was announced that Gleanna Lynch would be contesting this constituency for the Social Democrats.

Cllr. Mannix Flynn will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.)

Dublin South-West (5 seats – 21 candidates): Colm Brophy FG, Anne-Marie Dermody FG, Karen Warren FG, John Lahart FF, Pamela Kearns LAB, Mick Duff LAB, Sarah Holland SF, Sean Crowe SF, Paul Murphy AAA, Sandra Fay AAA, Francis Noel Duffy GP, Ronan McMahon RN, Stephen Sinclair DDI-NCM, Katherine Zappone IND, Deirdre O’Donovan IND/IND ALL, Declan Burke IND, Eamonn Maloney IND, Peter Fitzpatrick IND, Kieran Adam Quigley IND, Joan Summerville-Molloy IND, Frank O’Gorman IND

The Notice of Poll for the Dublin South-West constituency (via the Dublin County Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Cllr. Deirdre O’Donovan announced on NewsTalk on 4th February 2015 that she would be contesting Dublin South West as a member of the Independents Alliance, involving Deputy Shane Ross and other independents.

Cllr. Ronan McMahon has joined the new Renua Ireland party and is a “declared candidate” who is likely to contest this constituency. On 14th June 2015, Renua Ireland announced that he had been officially selected by the party to contest this constituency.

Cllr. Sarah Holland and Deputy Sean Crowe were selected to contest this constituency for Sinn Fein at the party selection convention on 23rd March 2015.

The Fianna Fail selection convention was scheduled to take place on 28th May 2015, with Cllr. Charlie O’Connor, Cllr. John Lahart and local election candidate, Emma Murphy, set to contest this. John Lahart was selected at this convention.

The Fine Gael convention took place on the same night as the Fianna Fail selection (28th May 2015). Cllrs. Colm Brophy and Ann Marie Dermody were selected at this, with Senator Cait Keane also contesting this. Former county councillor and 2014 local election candidate, Karen Warren, was added to the ticket as a third Fine Gael candidate by party headquarters, as announced on 23rd September 2015.  

With Deputies Pat Rabbitte and Eamon Maloney both deciding to not contest the Labour selection convention (and with Pat Rabitte deciding to retire from politics at the upcoming contest), Cllrs. Pamela Kearns and Mick Duff were selected to contest this constituency for the Labour Party at the party selection convention on 28th July 2015. On 26th September, it was announced that Eamonn Maloney was leaving the Labour Party and would be contesting this constituency instead as an independent candidate.

On 11th October 2015 Deputy Paul Murphy and Sandra Fay were selected to contest this constituency for the Anti-Austerity Alliance.

Declan Burke announced on 1st June 2015 that he would be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. On 22nd June 2015 it was confirmed that Senator Katherine Zappone would be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. Peter Fitzpatrick declared his intention to contest this constituency as an independent candidate on the Vincent Browne show on 7th October 2015. In Winter 2015/2016, Kieran Adam Quigley announced he would be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.

In July 2015, Cllr. Francis Noel Duffy was selected to contest this constituency for the Green Party.

Stephen Sinclair will be contesting this constituency for Direct Democracy Ireland.)

Dublin West (4 seats – 11 candidates): Catherine Noone FG, Leo Varadkar FG, Jack Chambers FF, Joan Burton LAB, Paul Donnelly SF, Ruth Coppinger AAA, Roderic O’Gorman GP, Jo O’Brien REN, David McGuinness IND/IND ALL, TJ Clare IND, Dermot Casey IND

The Notice of Poll for the Dublin West constituency (via the Dublin County Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(David McGuinness confirmed that he would be seeking a nomination to contest this constituency as a Fianna Fail candidate. A report in the Irish Independent suggested that Mary Fitzpatrick was looking to move from Dublin Central to contest the election for Fianna Fail in this constituency, given that her Navan Road base was moved from Dublin Central into Dublin West in the 2012 Constituency Commission boundary changes. The convention ultimately was contested in Tyrellstown by David McGuinness and Jack Chambers on 25th February 2015, with Chambers winning out on the night. A report on the journal.ie has noted that David McGuinness might consider running as an independent candidate instead. David McGuinnesss did announce his formal resignation from Fianna Fail on 9th April 2015 and will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. On 16th January 2016, it was confirmed that he would be one of the independents running as part of the Independent Alliance. 

Cllr. Roderic O’Gorman was selected as the Green Party candidate on 13th March 2015.

Senator Catherine Noone and Deputy Leo Varadkar were selected to contest this constituency for Fine Gael at the party selection convention on 13th April 2015. Cllr. Kieran Dennison withdrew his candidacy at the convention.

Party leader, Joan Burton TD was selected to contest this constituency for Labour at the party selection convention on 30th April 2015.

In late January 2016 it was announced that Jo O’Brien would be the Renua Ireland candidate in this constituency.

Cllr. Lorna Nolan was announced as contesting this constituency as an independent candidate for the Independents Alliance, as announced on 29th June 2015. However, on 16th January 2016 it was announced that she was withdrawing from the election for personal reasons.

It had been announced that Geoff Boyle will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate for the Irish Postmasters Union, as noted in the Irish Examiner (4th August 2015).  However, on 1st February 2016 it was announced that the Irish Postmasters Union candidates would not be contesting the election after all, as reported on the RTE News website (1st February 2016). 

On 17th November 2015, TJ Clare announced he would be contesting the election in Dublin West as an independent candidate.)

Dun Laoghaire (4* seats (effectively 3 seats due to aautomatic re-election of the Ceann Comhairle, Sean Barrett) – 11 candidates): Mary Mitchell-O’Connor FG, Maria Bailey FG, Cormac Devlin FF, Mary Hanafin FF, Carrie Smyth LAB, Shane O’Brien SF, Richard Boyd Barrett PBPA, Frank Cronin REN, Ossian Smyth GP, Raymond Whitehead DDI-NCM, Carol Hunt IND/IND ALL

The Notice of Poll for the Dun Laoghaire constituency (via the Dublin County Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(As things stand, this will effectively be a three-seat constituency at the next general election, as Ceann Comhairle, Sean Barrett, would be returned automatically, however some reports in early 2015, including this Irish Times report, had suggested that he might decide not to contest this. Cllr. Barry Ward had announced his intention of contesting the Fine Gael selection convention here. The Fine Gael selection convention was held on 8th June 2015 at the Fitzpatrick Castle Hotel in Killiney. Deputy Mary Mitchell-O’Connor was selected at this. This was also contested by Cllrs. Barry Ward and Maria Bailey. On 29th July 2015, it was announced that Cllr. Maria Bailey had been added to the Fine Gael ticket here.

Media reports expect that the Fianna Fail convention in this constituency will be hotly contested, with the party’s four councillors in this constituency – Jennifer Cuffe, Kate Feeney, Mary Hanafin and Cormac Devlin – all expected to contest this. All of these councillors have now confirmed their intention (as of April 2015) to contest this convention, which is expected to take place in late May 2015. There had been speculation that Jennifer Cuffe would not contest this, but she confirmed her intention to seek the Fianna Fail nomination on 20th April 2015, as noted by thejournal.ie. Jennifer Cuffe would ultimately contest the Wicklow convention instead, leaving Cllrs. Kate Feeney, Cormac Devlin and Mary Hanafin to contest the selection convention here on 28th September 2015. This was won by a narrow four vote margin by Cormac Devlin. On 30th September 2015, Cllr. Mary Hanafin was added as a second Fianna Fail candidate in this constituency. 

Cllr. Shane O’Brien was selected (unopposed) to contest this constituency for Sinn Fein at the party convention on 24th February 2015. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett was selected to run for People Before Profit on the 28th May 2015. Cllr. Ossian Smyth has been selected as the Green Party candidate.

Deputy Eamon Gilmore announced on 2nd June 2015 that he would not be seeking to contest the next general election for Labour. On 5th June 2015 Cllr. Deirdre Kingston announced that she would be contesting the Labour selection convention. According to the Irish Times (9th June 2015), this convention will also be contested by Cllr. Carrie Smyth, Senator Aideen Hayden and party activist, David Traynor, but Senator Ivana Bacik, who contested this constituency in 2011, will instead seek the party nomination for her home constituency of Dublin Bay South. Cllr. Carrie Smyth was selected at this convention, which took place on 16th July 2015. According to the Irish Independent (17th July 2015), Cllr Smyth won 39 votes at this convention, while Senator Aideen Hayden won 31 votes, Cllr. Deirdre Kingston won 21 votes and David Tarynor won 20 votes. 

Carol Hunt will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate for the Independents Alliance, as announced on 29th June 2015.

On 12th October 2015, it was announced that Frank Cronin would be the Renua Ireland candidate here.

Raymond Whitehead will be contesting this constituency for Direct Democracy Ireland, according to the party website.)

Galway East (3 seats – 9 candidates): Paul Connaughton FG, Ciaran Cannon FG, Anne Rabbitte FF, Colm Keaveney FF, Lorraine Higgins LAB, Annemarie Roche SF, Máiréad Ní Chróinín GP, Aengus Melia DDI-NCM, Sean Canney IND/IND ALL, Michael Fahy IND

(The Connacht Tribune (20th February 2015) reports that Cllr. Gerry Finnerty from Gort has declared his intention to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention, with Deputy Michael Kitt having already signalled his intention to seek the party nomination to contest the election. Colm Keaveney TD is also expected to contest this, with speculation also existing that Cllr. Anne Rabbitte from Portumna may also do so. The Connaught Telegraph (20th March 2015) notes, however, that Deputy Kitt has been asked by the Fianna Fail Constituencies Commission to consider running in Roscommon-Galway instead, especially given that his home base is located in the part of Galway that has been moved into this new constituency. This issue of the Telegraph has also noted that Cllr. Michael Connolly has expressed an interest in contest the Fianna Fail selection convention, with Cllr. Anne Rabbite also being mentioned in this same vein. On 17th April 2015, Anne Rabbitte publicly announced that she would be contesting the Fianna Fail selection convention. The Fianna Fail selection convention, according to the Galway Bay FM website (21st September 2015) was due to take place on 21st September 2015 at the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry, with Deputy Colm Keaveney to contest this along with Cllrs. Anne Rabbitte, Gerry Finnerty and Michael Connolly. As one male and one female candidate was to be selected at this, Anne Rabbitte would be one of the party candidates here at the general election. A vote was held to determine which of the other three candidates would be selected. On the First Count, Colm Keaveney took 185 votes, whole Michael Connolly won 113 votes and Gerry Finnerty won 109 votes. Colm Keaveney secured the nomination on the second count, winning over Michael Connolly on a 233-161 vote margin. 

It was reported in The Connacht Tribune (10th April 2015) that Cllr. Pete Roche has declared that he will be a candidate at the Fine Gael selection convention. The Labour Party selection convention took place on 12th June 2015 at New Park Hotel in Athenry and Senator Lorraine Higgins was selected as the party’s candidate. 

According to The Connacht Tribune (20th February 2015), Independent Councillor, Karey McHugh, has claimed that she is unlikely to contest the election unless “an issue in the Tuam area arose”. It was noted in the Galway Advertiser (3rd April 2015) that independent councillor, Michael Fahy, was likely to announce his intention of contesting this constituency as an independent candidate and this was confirmed on 7th April 2015. Sean Canney, who has declared his intention to contest the election, is one of the County Councillors who have been linked with the new Independents Alliance grouping, as was formally confirmed on 29th June 2015.

Annemarie Roche was unanimously selected as the Sinn Fein candidate at the party selection convention in the Meadow Court Hotel, Loughrea, on 16th July 2015.

The Fine Gael selection convention took place on 13th September 2015at the New Inn community centre, as reported on the Galway Bay FM website (14th September 2015). Three candidates were to contest this – Deputy Paul Connaughton, Deputy Ciaran Cannon and Cllr. Peter Roche. It was decided that two candidates would be selected – one from the north of the constituency and one from the south. Ciaran Cannon was the only candidate in the south and hence automatically selected, while Paul Connaughton defeated Peter Roche in a vote for the north-based candidates.

The Galway Bay FM website (18th January 2016) reported that Aengus Melia would contest this constituency for the Direct Democracy Ireland-A National Citizen Movement grouping. However, he did not subsequently submit candidate nomination papers, as noted by the Galway Bay FM website (11th February 2016). But, as with Máiréad Ní Chróinín, his absence from this list was addressed in a revised edition of the nominated candidates list from the Returning Officer, which also included his name among the list of officially nominated candidates.

Máiréad Ní Chróinín will be the Green Party candidate in this constituency. Official candidate lists published on local media sources after the deadline passed did not include her name, but this is believed to have been down to an administrative error in the Returning Officer’s office.)

Galway West (5 seats – 20 candidates): Hildegarde Naughten FG, Sean Kyne FG, John O’Mahony FG, Eamon O’Cuiv FF, Mary Hoade FF, John Connolly FF, Derek Nolan LAB, Trevor Ó Clochartaigh SF, Tommy Holohan AAA, Niall Ó Tuathail SD, Seamus Sheridan GP, Nicola DaveronREN, Ruairi O’Neill DDI-NCM, James Charity IND, Noel Grealish IND, Catherine Connolly IND, Fidelma Healy-Eames IND, Mike Cubbard IND, Tommy Roddy IND, Patrick Feeney IND

(Local media sources suggest that the Fianna Fail convention will be held early in 2015 and the party may opt to select three candidates (including one female candidate). A report in the Galway Advertiser suggests that Cllr. Martina Kinnane is well placed to be selected as one of those two or three candidates. Indeed, as noted by the Galway Advertiser (9th April 2015), Cllr. Kinnane has announced her intention to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention here. Eric Mortimer from Shrule (Mayo) is to contest this convention also, according to The Connaught Telegraph (25th May 2015). According to the Galway Advertiser (21st May 2015), the list of candidates for the Fianna Fail convention includes Cllr. Martina Kinnane and Eric Mortimer, as well as Deputy Eamon O’Cuiv, Cllr. Ollie Crowe, Cllr. Mary Hoade, as well as John Connolly, Stephanie Murphy-Penn and Mary Corbett-Joyce. This convention is to take place in the Clayton Hotel in Ballybrit on 28th May 2015. The Galway Independent (28th May 2015) suggests that just five candidates – O’Cuiv, Hoade, Murphy-Penn, Connolly and Mortimer – will be contesting this convention, with three candidates to be selected – of whom at least one must be a male and one must be a female. Eamon O’Cuiv, Mary Hoade and John Connolly were selected at this convention. Stephanie Murphy-Penn was the only other candidate to contest this convention as Eric Mortimer withdrew from the contest just before the vote. According to the Irish Independent (29th May 2015), “more than 500 delegates took part in the vote which took place at the Clayton Hotel in Ballybrit tonight and was chaired by Mayo TD Dara Calleary”. As noted by the Galway Independent (1st June 2015), Mary Corbett Joyce from Clifden and Eric Mortimer from Knocknacarra had initially put themselves forward to contest the convention, but withdrew before the convention took place. 

On 3rd May 2015, Seona O’Fegan was announced as a candidate for this constituency for the Irish Postmaster’s Union, the first such candidate to be announced in the state. She was expected to be one of eight Irish Postmasters Union candidates, according to a report in The Examiner (23rd June 2015). However, on 1st February 2016 it was announced that the Irish Postmasters Union candidates would not be contesting the election after all, as reported on the RTE News website (1st February 2016). 

On 17th November 2015, TJ Clare announced he would be

The Western People (5th January 2015) noted that Mayo TD, John O’Mahony, may decide to contest this constituency given that part of his support base was moved into Galway West in the 2012 Constituency Commission boundary amendments. The Galway City Tribune (30th March 2015) strongly suggested that he would be now contesting Galway West instead of Mayo. It was confirmed in the Mayo News (14th April 2015) that Fine Gael party headquarters had asked John O’Mahony to move to the Galway West constituency, but he was yet to make a decision on this. As noted in the Connacht Tribune/Galway City Tribune, John O’Mahony declared on 23rd April 2015 that he would be contesting the Galway West constituency. According to the Galway Advertiser (7th May 2015), the Fine Gael convention will be contested on 7th June 2015, with six candidates expected to contest and with the party planning to run four candidates in this constituency. The candidates contesting this convention will include John O’Mahony TD, as well as Sean Kyne TD, Brian Walsh TD and Senator Hildegarde Naughten. It was thought that Ballinrobe-based Cllr. Patsy O’Brien and Clifden-based Cllr. Eileen Mannion would be also likely to contest this convention. But Sean Kyne, Hildegarde Naughten, John O’Mahony and Brian Walsh were the only candidates to contest the convention at the Westwood Hotel in Galway City, which took place on 7th June 2015. Brian Walsh subsequently withdrew from the election, however, due to ill health, as noted on the RTE website (10th November 2015).

Trevor O Clochartaigh was selected as the Sinn Fein candidate at a convention on 31st January 2015. This convention was also contested by Cllr. Mairéad Farrell. Deputy Derek Nolan was selected to contest the constituency for the Labour Party at the party’s selection convention on Friday 15th May 2015.

Cllr. James Charity had announced his intention to contest the election here as an independent candidate, as noted in the Galway Advertiser (20th November 2014). On 19th May 2015 (as noted on the Galway Bay FM website), however, Cllr. Charity announced that he was joining Renua Ireland and would be seeking to that party’s nomination to contest Galway West instead. This was also noted in the Galway Advertiser (May 21st 2015), with the report also noting that another Galway based councillor was expected to join the party. It was confirmed by Renua that James Charity would be their Galway West election candidate on 13th July 2015. On 29th July 2015, however, it was announced that he had quit Renua and would again be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. In December 2015, it was announced that the Renua candidate in this constituency would be Nicola Daveron, as reported in the Galway Advertiser (23rd December 2015). 

Cllr. Catherine Connolly announced that she would be contesting the election on Radio na Gaeltachta in February 2015. Senator Fidelma Healy-Eames, formerly a member of Fine Gael, has announced that she will contest this constituency as an independent candidate. Noel Grealish has announced that he will be contesting this constituency as a “true Independent” and will not be part of any alliance involving other independents, such as Shane Ross. 

Niall O Tuathail announced that he will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate, as was noted in the Galway City Tribune (24th April 2015). On 4th September 2015, it was announced that he would be contesting the election as a Social Democrats candidate.

Tommy Holohan has been selected as the Anti-Austerity Alliance candidate for this constituency, as confirmed in late June 2015. Seamus Sheridan has been selected as the Green Party candidate for this constituency. The Galway Bay FM (5th October 2015) website has reported that Tommy Roddy will be contesting Galway West as an independent candidate. On 25th November 2015, it was announced that Galway City-based councillor, Cllr. Mike Cubbard, would be contesting the election as an independent candidate, as was reported on the Galway Bay FM website (25th November 2015). As reported on the Galway Bay FM website (18th January 2016), Ruairi O’Neill will contest this constituency for the Direct Democracy Ireland-A National Citizen Movement grouping.

As noted by the Galway Bay FM website (11th February 2016), Patrick Feeney (Independent) was a late addition to the candidate list here.)

Kerry County (5 seats – 16 candidates): Jimmy Deenihan FG, Brendan Griffin FG, Grace O’Donnell FG, John Brassill FF, Norma Moriarty FF, Arthur Spring LAB, Martin Ferris SF, Brian Finucane PBPA,  Donal Corcoran REN, Michael Fitzgerald GP, Michael Healy-Rae IND, Danny Healy-Rae IND, Michael O’Gorman IND, Kevin Murphy IND, Henry Gaynor IND, Mary E. Fitzgibbon IND

The Notice of Poll for the Kerry constituency (via the Kerry Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(There is speculation that former Kerry footballer, Darragh Ó Sé, may be interested in contesting the election as a Fianna Fail candidate. Tralee councillor, Norma Foley, will be contesting the Fianna Fail selection convention. A report on the Radio Kerry website noted that former Dail deputies, John O’Donoghue and Tom McEllistrim, have declared their intention to contest the Fianna Fail convention, with Senator Mark Daly and Cllr. John Brassil also having expressed an interest. A West Cork Times report confirmed that Mark Daly would the party nomination at the selection convention. Cllr. Michael O’Shea has also stated that he intends to contest the selection convention as also has Cllr. Niall Kelleher. A number of other councillors – Norma Moriarty, John Joe Culloty, Niall Kelleher and John Francis Flynn – were said to be still considering on whether or not to contest the Fianna Fail nomination. It is expected that the Fianna Fail selection convention will take place at the end of March. Reports suggest that only one candidate will be selected at the Fianna Fail selection convention with a second candidate to be added by party headquarters after the convention. This convention is to take place on March 29th 2015. As noted on the Radio Kerry website, “members in south Kerry will be able to vote at a ballot box in Killarney and members in north Kerry will cast their ballots in Tralee”! It has now been confirmed (via the Radio Kerry website on 17th March 2015) that six candidates will contest the Fianna Fail selection convention; Senator Mark Daly, as well as Councillors Norma Foley, John Brassil, Tom McEllistrim, Niall Kelleher and Michael O Shea. A report in the Irish Times (24th March 2015), however, suggests that Cllr. Norma Moriarty will also be contesting this convention (although this erroneously also suggests that West Limerick will be part of this new constituency, so…) Former Dail deputy and Ceann Comhairle, John O’Donoghue, confirmed that he would not be contesting this selection convention. On 26th March 2015, Cllr. Niall Kelleher announced that he was withdrawing his candidacy on the basis that only one candidate was to be selected at the convention and that Kerry Fianna Fail membership patterns would favour a candidate from the north of the constituency, most notably John Brassil. He did indicate his willingness to be considered if further candidates were to be added to the party ticket. Senator Mark Daly announced his withdrawal from the contest on the following day (27th March 2015) for the same reasons as Cllr. Kelleher, arguing that the party members should have had the power to decide both Fianna Fail candidates at the party convention. Cllr. Norma Moriarty withdrew just ahead of the contest, leaving four remaining candidates to contest the convention, which was attended by around 1,500 people. Cllr. John Brasill won this convention vote. Having trailed former Dail deputy, Cllr. Tom McEllistrim, on the first two counts, transfers from Cllr. Norma Foley decided the convention in his favour. Norma Moriarty was added as a second Fianna Fail candidate by party headquarters on 24th April 2015. As reported by the Radio Kerry website (9th February 2016), a request by Mark Daly to be added as a third party candidate in this constituency was turned down by the party leader. 

Martin Ferris TD had yet to confirm whether he will be contesting the election, or not, for Sinn Fein, but declared his interest in running just ahead of this convention. The Sinn Fein selection convention is to take place on 12th March 2015 in the Meadowlands Hotel, Tralee. Martin Ferris is expected to be selected at this, according to the Radio Kerry website, but this same report has also suggested that party headquarters might consider adding a second candidate from the south of Kerry later. As noted by the Radio Kerry website, “Martin Ferris, who is seeking nomination, says he would be in favour of two candidates being selected and says Cllr Damien Quigg is a possible running mate”. Martin Ferris was selected at the convention on 12th March 2015.

A report on the Radio Kerry website (31st March 2015) noted that Senator Tom Sheahan had expressed his intention of contesting the Fine Gael selection convention, with it being noted that he believed that this was likely to be held in September. He believed that the party should run three candidates. It has now been confirmed that the Fine Gael selection convention for Kerry will take place on 28th June 2015, with this to be contested by the two sitting deputies, Jimmy Deenihan TD and Brendan Griffin TD, and Senator Tom Sheahan, according to a post on the Radio Kerry website (4th June 2015). It was thought that Cllr. Jim Finucane, who is currently Mayor of Tralee, might also contest this convention. But he did not. The convention selected Jimmy Deenihan and Brendan Griffin, with Tom Sheahan losing out at this. According to the Radio Kerry website, Deputy Griffin won 194 votes at this convention, while Deputy Deenihan received 148 votes and Senator Sheahan received 112 votes. The Radio Kerry (9th October 2015) website has reported that Fine Gael is likely to add a third candidate in this constituency, who is likely to be a female candidate and based in the Tralee area. As yet, the identity of this third candidate remains to be known, as reported in The Kerryman (17th October 2015). On 29th October 2015, it was announced that former Tralee mayor, Grace O’Donnell, would be the third candidate on the Fine Gael ticket for Kerry. 

According to the Radio Kerry (15th October 2015) website, the Labour Party will only select one candidate at their convention on 19th October 2015 and that candidate is likely to be Deputy Arthur Spring. This indeed proved to be the case and Arthur Spring was the sole candidate contesting the party convention, which took place in Tralee on Monday 19th October 2015. A report in The Examiner (8th February 2016) suggested, however, that – following the withdrawal of Deputy Tom Fleming – Senator Marie Moloney might be added as a second candidate here.  

Deputy Tom Fleming was one of the group of five independent TDs who wre associated with the new Independents Alliance grouping and was to contest the election as part of that grouping. However on 4th February 2016, he announced that he had “decided not to contest the election as he (felt) he has not covered the ground necessary in the campaign trail to date”, as reported on the Radio Kerry website (4th February 2016).

According to the People Before Profit Alliance website, Brian Finucane will be their candidate in this constituency.

As reported on the Radio Kerry website (24th December 2015), Michael Fitzgerald will be contesting the Kerry constituency for the Green Party.

An Irish Times (31st October 2015) report on the Right2Change political alliance identifies Michael O’Gorman as being an independent candidate in this constituency who has alligned himself with that movement, as also reported on the Radio Kerry website (18th November 2015). Killarney-based Kevin Murphy will also be contesting this constituency as an independent, who will also be standing on the Right2Change political platform (as noted on the Radio Kerry (11th November 2015) website. Henry Gaynor will also be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate, as reported by The Kerryman (26th December 2015).

The Kerry Independent Alliance was to hold a selection convention in early January 2016 with Cllr. Michael Gleeson the only candidate nominated to contest this, as reported by The Kerryman (26th December 2015). However, Cllr. Gleeson subsequently announced he would not be contesting the election, as reported by the Radio Kerry website (15th January 2015).

On 12th January 2016 it was announced that Renua Ireland had selected Donal Cororcan to contest the Kerry constituency.

On 3rd February 2016 Mary E. Fitzgibbon declared her intention to contest the election here as an independent candidate, as also reported on the Radio Kerry website (3rd February 2016).

Just before the close of nominations on 11th February 2016, Radio Kerry reported that Cllr. Danny Healy-Rae would also be contesting the election, as a running mate for his brother Deputy Michael Healy-Rae.) 

Kildare North (4 seats – 14 candidates): Anthony Lawlor FG, Bernard Durkan FG, James Lawless FF, Frank O’Rourke FF, Emmett Stagg LAB, Réada Cronin SF, Catherine Murphy SD, Ashling Merriman PBPA, Shane Fitzgerald REN, Maebh Ní Fhallúin GP, Brendan Young IND, Michael Beirne IND, Gerard Dunne IND, Elizabeth O’Sullivan IND

The Notice of Poll for the Kildare North constituency (via the Kildare Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Cllr. James Lawless announced his intention to seek a Fianna Fail nomination to contest the election at a meeting in Sallins on 12th January 2015. The Kildare Nationalist (10th March 2015) has noted that Cllr. Frank O’Rourke will also contest the Fianna Fail selection convention. The Fianna Fail selection convention took place in the Westgrove Hotel, Clane, on 24th March 2015. James Lawless won this vote. As well as noting that delegates had to leave the room during the convention due to a fire alert elsewhere in the Westgove Hotel, the Leinster Leader (31st March 2015) also noted that James Lawless won the convention vote over Frank O’Rouke by a 107-76 margin. The Leinster Leader article also suggested that Fianna Fail was unlikely to add a second candidate in this constituency (Cllr O’Rourke and former Deputy, Aine Brady, were mooted as possibilities here) unless there was “a significant improvement in the party’s poll ratings”. On 26th June 2015, it was announced that Cllr. Frank O’Rourke had been added to the party ticket.

Réada Cronin was selected to contest this constituency for Sinn Fein on 30th January 2015. Independent councillor, Brendan Young, announced his intention to contest the general election on 16th March 2015. The Labour Party convention was scheduled to take place on 28th April 2015 in the Celbridge Manor Hotel, with Deputy Emmet Stagg expected to be selected at this, according to the KFM Radio website. He indeed proved to be the only candidate at the convention and was duly selected.

The Fine Gael convention took place on Monday 15th June 2015. Deputies Anthony Lawlor and Bernard Durkan were selected unopposed at this.

As announced on 15th July 2015, Deputy Catherine Murphy is a founding member of the new Social Democrats party and will be contesting this constituency for that party.

In October 2015 it was announced that Ashling Merriman would be contesting this constituency for the People Before Profit Alliance.

On 4th January 2016 the Green Party announced that Maebh Ní Fhallúin would be their candidate in this constituency.

In Winter 2015/16, it was revealed that Shane Fitzgerald – formerly a Green Party member of Leixlip Town Council – would be the Renua Ireland candidate in this constituency.

According to the KFM website (2nd February 2016), Michael Beirne will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.

Elizabeth O’Sullivan and Gerard Dunne were late additions to the official candidates list for this constituency.)

Kildare South (3 seats – 9 candidates): Martin Heydon FG, Fiona McLoughlin-Healy FG, Seán Ó Fearghaíl FF, Fiona O’Loughlin FF, Mark Wall LAB, Patricia Ryan SF, Suzanne McEneaney GP, Mary Kennedy REN, Declan Crowe IND

The Notice of Poll for the Kildare South constituency (via the Kildare Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(The Sinn Fein convention took place on Sunday 1st February 2015 in Athy. Tricia Ryan from Monasterevin was selected at this. This was a contested convention, according to The Kildare Nationalist (17th February 2015), with Cllr. Sorcha O’Neill from Naas also contesting this.

The Kildare Nationalist (10th March 2015) and Leinster Leader (10th March 2015) both noted that Cllr. Fiona O’Loughlin intended to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention, as well as Deputy Sean O Fearghaill. It is unclear, yet, whether Fianna Fail will run one or two candidates in this constituency. This convention was scheduled to take place in the Kildare House Hotel in Kildare Town on Tuesday 14th April 2015. With more than 200 people present, Seán Ó Fearghaíl won this convention vote in a contest with Fiona O’Loughlin in what was described as a “tight vote”, but he is to petition party headquarters to ask that Cllr. O’Loughlin be added as a second candidate to the Fianna Fail ticket. The Leinster Leader (21st April 2015) noted that the margin between Seán Ó Fearghaíl and Fiona O’Loughlin was a very tight 5 vote margin (72-67), with the transfer into the constituency of five members from the Laois constituency viewed as being especially crucial in terms of the final vote. On 7th October 2015 it was confirmed that Cllr. O’Loughlin was being added as a second Fianna Fail candidate in this constituency.

An opinion piece by Ronan Early in the Leinster Leader (31st March 2015) has suggested that Fine Gael Dail deputy, Martin Heydon, will be joined on the party ticket by Newbridge-based, Cllr. Fiona McLoughlin-Healy. The party’s selection convention, according to the Leinster Leader (14th July 2015), will take place on 21st July 2015 in the Keadeen Hotel, with Deputy Martin Heydon, Cllr. Fiona McLoughlin-Healy, Cllr. Mark Stafford and Ian Hennessy set to contest this.  Martin Heydon and Fiona McLoughlin-Healy were selected at this convention.

Jonathan Irwin initially declared his intention of contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. He has subsequently become a member of the new Renua Ireland party and is a “declared candidate” who is likely to contest this constituency. On 14th June 2015, Renua Ireland announced that he had been officially selected by the party to contest this constituency. On 5th August 2015, however, it was announced that he was withdrawing from the general election contest on the basis of medical advice. 

Independent councillor, Willie Crowley announced on KFM Radio on 2nd July 2015 that he had joined the Independent Alliance and would be contesting the general election for them. Unfortunately, Cllr. Crowley was serious injured in a hit and run accident in Newbridge Town on 14th December 2015. Sadly, he passed away on 18th December 2015. Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam dílis.

Deputy Jack Wall will not be contesting the next general election, meaning that Labour will have to select a new general election candidate to contest this constituency. According to the Kildare Nationalist (21st July 2015), it was expected that Cllr. Aoife Breslin and Cllr. Mark Wall will be contesting the Labour Party nomination here. Cllr Mark Wall was selected at the party selection convention, which took place on 8th September 2015 in the Clonard Court hotel in Athy.

As noted in the Kildare Nationalist (14th July 2015), Lorraine Hayden, a leading member of the Athy against Water Charges campaign, was to be contesting this constituency for the National Citizens Movement. But she is now not contesting the election and will be supporting the candidacy of Declan Crowe, who was the founding member of the Athy against Water Charges campaign. 

An Irish Times (31st October 2015) report on the Right2Change political alliance seemed to identify Cllr. Joanne Pender as being an independent candidate in this constituency who has alligned herself with the Right2Change movement but, as noted on the KFM website (2nd November 2015), she has yet to decide on whether to contest the election, or not, yet.

Suzanne McEneaney will be the Green Party candidate in this constituency.

Mary Kennedy will be contesting this constituency for Renua Ireland, as confirmed by the party in early February 2016.)

Laois (3 seats – 6 candidates): Charlie Flanagan FG, Thomasina Connell FG, Sean Fleming FF, John Whelan LAB, Brian Stanley SF, Sinead Moore GP

The Notice of Poll for the Laois constituency (via the Laois Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(The first of the Labour Party selection conventions took place on 16th February for this constituency and Senator John Whelan was selected unopposed.

According to the Laois Nationalist, former Sinn Fein councillor, Alan Hand, has joined the Anti Austerity Alliance and he might potentially be a general election candidate representing that grouping a the next election.

Brian Stanley was selected to contest Laois for Sinn Fein at the party selection convention on 19th March 2015.

As noted in the Leinster Express (2nd June 2015), the Fianna Fail selection convention was due to take place in early June 2015, with the potential candidates including Deputy Sean Fleming, Cllr. Catherine Fitzgerald and former Dail deputy, John Moloney, but this has been postponed over a disagreement with party headquarters as to the number of candidates to be selected at this. The local party wanted to select two candidates, while party headquarters wanted just one candidate to be selected at this convention. However, in the following week’s Leinster Express (9th June 2015) and Laois Nationalist (9th June 2015) it was noted that John Moloney has announced that he will not be seeking a Fianna Fail nomination to contest the general election. It was believed that this would pave the way for Deputy Fleming and Clllr. Fitzgerald to be selected as Fianna Fail’s candidates in the Laois constituency. This turned out to be the case, as both were selected at the Fianna Fail selection convention on 27th July 2015. However, as reported in the Leinster Express (29th September 2015), Catherine Fitzgerald withdrew from the election contest for “personal reasons”. 

The Leinster Express (25th August 2015) notes that Deputy Charles Flanagan will be the only candidate to contest the Fine Gael selection convention, which will take place on 9th September 2015 in the Killeshin Hotel in Portlaoise. There is speculation that Winifred Champ-Cox, who contested the 2009 local elections in the Emo electoral area, may be added as a second candidate in order to “fulfil gender quotas and be a Portarlington based candidate”. Charlie Flanagan was selected at the convention on 9th September. on 3rd November Ballybrittas-based Thomasina Connell was added by party headquarters as the second Fine Gael candidate for this constituency, as noted on the Midlands 103 FM website.

The Laois People website (10th December 2015) reports that Renua are seeking declarations of interest from people who want to run for the party in the Laois constituency.) 

Offaly (3 seats – 11 candidates): Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy FG, Barry Cowen FF, Eddie Fitzpatrick FF, Carol Nolan SF, John Leahy RN, Christopher Fettes GP, Ken Smollen IDP, John Foley IND/IND ALL, Joe Hannigan IND, Teresa Ryan-Feehan IND, Kate Bopp IND

The Notice of Poll for the Offaly constituency (via the Offaly Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(The Fianna Fail selection convention took place at the Tullamore Court Hotel on 25th March 2015 and was attended by 250 party members. A report in the Tullamore Tribune has suggested that the party may just run one candidate in this constituency. However, it was subsequently been announced that the party will run two candidates in Offaly, although only one candidate will be selected at the convention. This convention was to be contested by Cllrs. Peter Ormond and Eddie Fitzpatrick, as well as Deputy Barry Cowen. Peter Ormond, however, withdrew as a candidate at the convention, claiming to have done so for party unity and noting a wish to “contest the next stage of this convention”. Barry Cowen TD was selected to run for Fianna Fail at this convention. As noted on the Offaly Fianna Fail Facebook page, “There is, however, one more candidate to be chosen as a General Election candidate. This decision will be made in the near future, after further consultation between Fianna Fáil HQ and the officers and members of Offaly CDC.”  Subsequently, Cllr. Eddie Fitzpatrick was added to the Fianna ticket on 19 

As noted in the Offaly Independent (9th June 2015), Deputy Marcella Corcoran Kennedy, has stated her intention to contest the Fine Gael nomination at the party’s selection convention, which is expected to take place in Tullamore at the end of June. Marcella Corcoran-Kennedy was selected as the party candidate at the selection convention on 29th June 2015. This convention was also contested by Cllr. John Clendennen and Cllr. Liam Quinn, with it being reported that the final margin between Deputy Corcoran-Kennedy and Cllr. Clendennen was very narrow.

Cllr. John Leahy is a member of the new Renua Ireland party and is a “declared candidate” who is likely to contest this constituency. On 14th June 2015, Renua Ireland announced that he had been officially selected by the party to contest this constituency.

Ken Smollen will be contesting this constituency for the Irish Democratic Party.

Cllr. Brendan Killeavy (Sinn Fein) announced on his Facebook page on 23rd February 2015 that he would not be seeking to contest the election for personal reasons. According to The Midland Tribune, Cllr. Carol Nolan had put her name forward to contest the Sinn Fein selection convention, while Cllr. Martin O’Reilly was still considering his options. Carol Nolan was confirmed as the Sinn Fein candidate on 4th March 2015.

In September 2015, it was announced that Cllr. John Foley would be contesting the election as an independent candidate associated with the Independent Alliance.

Tipperary-based Cllr. Joe Hannigan announced on Tipp FM on 4th December 2015 that he would be contesting the Offaly constituency as an independent candidate, as reported also on the Tipp FM website (4th December 2015).

As reported by The Midland Tribune (7th January 2016), Birr-based Teresa Ryan-Feehan will be contesting the constituency as an independent candidate.

According to the Midlands 103 website (17th December 2015), the Labour Party has yet to make a decision on whether to run a candidate in Offaly, or not. In this piece, it was claimed by Joan Burton that a decision on whether to run candidates in Offaly, and other constituencies that do not currently have Labour candidates, will be made early in the New Year. It was confirmed at the Labour Party conference in late January 2016 that the party would not be running a candidate in Offaly.

As reported on the party website on 4th February 2016, Christopher Fettes – founder of the party in 1981 – will be contesting this constituency for the Green Party.

On 4th February 2016 Kate Bopp announced that she would be contesting the election as an independent candidate in this constituency.)

Limerick City (4 seats – 11 candidates): Michael Noonan FG, Kieran O’Donnell FG, Willie O’Dea FF, Maurice Quinlivan SF, Jan O’Sullivan LAB, Cian Prendiville AAA, James Gaffney GP, Sarah Jane Hennelly SD, Nora Bennis CD, Desmond Hayes IND, Denis Riordan IND

(Michael Noonan confirmed to the Limerick Leader that he intended to contest the general election. As reported by the Limerick Leader (3rd September 2015), the candidacies of Deputy Noonan and Deputy Kieran O’Donnell were expected to be ratified at the Fine Gael selection convention in the Greenhills Hotel in Limerick City on Friday 4th September 2015. This indeed proved to be the case.

The Limerick Leader has reported that Fianna Fail are expected to run just one candidate – Willie O’Dea TD – in this constituency at the next general election. The Fianna Fail convention is scheduled to take place on Thursday 22nd January, as noted in the Limerick Leader. At this point in time Fianna Fail are pursuing a one candidate strategy here, according to the Limerick Post, which led to Cllr. James Collins deciding not to contest the party selection convention. Willie O’Dea was selected (unopposed) as the Fianna Fail candidate at the party selection convention on 22nd January 2015.

Cllr. Maurice Quinlivan was selected (unopposed) as the Sinn Fein candidate at the party selection convention at the Absolute Hotel in Limerick City on 19th February 2015.

According to the Limerick Post,  Cllr. Cian Prendiville was unanimously selected as the Anti Austerity Alliance (AAA) candidate at their convention in April 2015.

The Limerick Post (16th April 2015) noted that Sarah Jane Hennelly would be contesting the election as an independent candidate. On 4th September 2015, it was announced that she would be contesting the election as a Social Democrats candidate.

Jan O’Sullivan TD was the only candidate contesting the Labour Party selection convention in this constituency, which was scheduled to take place in late May.  Deputy Jan O’Sullivan was selected to contest this constituency for the Labour Party at the party selection convention on 18th May 2015.

William Priestley has been selected as the Green Party candidate to contest this constituency.

On 12th October 2015, it was announced that Desmond J Hayes would be the Renua Ireland candidate here, but in early January 2016 it was announced that he was withdrawing from the election for personal reason, as reported by the Limerick Leader (January 2016). However in late January 2016, he decided to contest the election as an independent candidate instead. 

Mary Honan had announced that she would be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate, but had to withdraw in November 2015 for health reasons.

According to the Catholic Democrats website, Nora Bennis will be contesting this constituency for that party.

According to the Limerick Live 95FM website (12th February 2016), another independent candidate, Denis Riordan, will be contesting this constituency.)

Limerick County (3 seats – 10 candidates): Patrick O’Donovan FG, Tom Neville FG, Niall Collins FF, Seamus Browne SF, Mark Keogh DDI-NCM, James Heffernan SD, Alexander Cosgrave GP, Emmett O’Brien IND, Richard O’Donoghue IND, John O’Gorman IND

(Niall Collins and Eddie Ryan were to contest the Fianna Fail nomination on 11th December 2014 – Niall Collins was selected at this. The Limerick Leader (12th July 2015) has reported that the party is carrying out an independent survey to determine whether they should add a second candidate to the ticket. In December 2015, as reported by the Limerick Leader (14th December 2015), Cllr. Richard O’Donoghue announced he would be resigning from Fianna Fail to contest the election as an independent candidate, claiming that this was down to a long delay on a decision as to whether he would be added as a second party candidate, or not.

Cllr. Emmet O’Brien is also contemplating where he will contest the elections as an independent candidate. As reported in the Limerick Post (21st October 2015), he announced his intention to contest the election as an independent candidate in late October 2015.  

Sinn Fein had been expected to hold their selection convention before the end of May 2015 but it is now expected that this will now take place in early July, according to the Limerick Leader (15th June 2015). As noted by Norma Prendiville in the Leader, “the candidate selected is expected to be one of the party’s three county-based councillors: Cllrs Seamus Browne, Ciara McMahon or Lisa Marie Sheehy”. The convention was finally held on 6th August 2015 at the Desmond Complex in Newcastle West and Cllr. Seamus Browne was selected unopposed at this, as reported in the Limerick Leader (16th August 2015).

It was earlier reported (in the Offaly Independent (8th June 2015) that Mark Keogh will be contesting this constituency for the Irish Democratic Party. However, the Direct Democracy Ireland website (in January 2016) subsequently listed him as one of their candidates.

On 11th August 2015, it was reported that Deputy Dan Neville would not be contesting the general election. The Limerick Leader (11th August 2015) reports that Tom Neville and Cllr. Bill O’Donnell are expected to contest the Fine Gael selection in September, in addition to Deputy Patrick O’Donovan. The Irish Independent (13th August 2015) reported that six councillors were expressing an interest in contesting the Fine Gael nomination along with Deputy O’Donovan, including Cllrs. Tom Neville and Stephen Keary (Adare-Rathkeale electoral area), Bill O’Donnell (Capaghmore-Kilmallock electoral area), and  John Sheahan, Liam Galvin and Jerome Scanlan (Newcastle West electoral area). Accoring to the article, Cllr. Scanlan – who topped the poll in Newcastle West in 2014 with 2,396 votes, claimed that he was ” the only candidate capable of taking a second seat for the party”. The Limerick Leader (23rd August 2015) reported that Cllr. Galvin had ruled himself out from contesting the nomination, while also reporting that the selection convention would tale place in the Dunraven Hotel in Adare on 21st September 2015. The Limerick Leader reported on 3rd September 2015 that Cllr. John Sheahan had announced that he would not be putting his name forward to contest the convention, leaving four candidates in the field – Deputy O’Donovan and Cllrs. O’Donnell, Neville and Scanlan. After a lengthy count at the convention, Tom Neville and Patrick O’Donovan were selected to contest the constituency for Fine Gael. Deputy O’Donovan won 277 votes, Cllr. Neville won 187 votes, Cllr. O’Donnell won 90 votes and Cllr. Scanlan won 59 votes. 

On 4th September 2015, it was announced that Senator James Heffernan – who initially had announced he would be contesting the election as an independent candidate – would be contesting the election as a Social Democrats candidate.

Ballingarry-based Alexander Cosgrave will be contesting this constituency for the Green Party. At 21 years of age, he is believed to be the youngest general election candidate in the state, as noted on the Limerick Live 95FM website (12th February 2016).

According to the Limerick Live 95FM website (12th February 2016), another independent candidate, John O’Gorman, will be contesting this constituency.)

Longford-Westmeath (4 seats – 18 candidates): Gabrielle McFadden FG, James Bannon FG, Peter Burke FG, Robert Troy FF, Connie Gerrety-Quinn FF, Willie Penrose LAB, Paul Hogan SF, Manchán Magan GP, Dom Parker AAA, Stephanie Healy DDI-NCM, Noel Mckervey CD, Kevin “Boxer” Moran IND/IND ALL, James Morgan IND/IND ALL, Barbara Smyth IND, Donal Jackson IND, Brian Fagan INd/IND ALL, James Miller IND-PBA, Mae Sexton IND

The Notice of Poll for the Longford-Westmeath constituency (via the Westmeath Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Fianna Fail deputy, Robert Troy, intends to contest this election, as also does Cllr. Aengus O’Rourke, who contested the 2014 by-election in this constituency for Fianna Fail. Cllr. Frank Keena had also expressed his intention of contesting the Fianna Fail selection convention. Longford councillor, Seamus Butler, has announced his intention to contest the Fianna Fail party selection convention. The Longford Leader (16th January 2015) noted that he was likely to be challenged by Pat O’Rouke in his bid for be the Longford-based Fianna Fail candidate. O’Rourke subsequently confirmed that he would be seeking a Fianna Fail nomination to contest the general election. Philip Reynolds, the son of former Taoiseach, Albert Reynolds, was approached about putting his name forward to contest the Fianna Fail convention, but he has declined to contest this election. There are divisions/conflict within the party, based on a report in the Westmeath Examiner (21st February 2015), with some local party members – but particularly those in the Athlone part of the constituency – favouring a three-candidate strategy, while other members of the local Comhairle Dail Ceantair favour a two-candidate party ticket.  It was noted on the Shannonside Radio (27th May 2015) that Fianna Fail has now decided to run just two candidates in this constituency. This seems likely to result in the party having no candidate from the Athlone/south Westmeath area at the next general election. The Shannonside radio website on 22nd July reported that it expected Fianna Fail headquarters to “confirm in writing” over the coming days that it would not allow a third candidate to be selected for this constituency. A report on the Shannonside Radio website has suggested that Connie Gerrety could be a third candidate to contest the Longford Fianna Fail nomination at the selection convention. The two-candidate strategy was confirmed in August 2015, as reported in the Westmeath Examiner (25th August 2015), which also reported that Cllr. Aengus O’Rourke is to contest the selection convention. The paper, however, reported that local party sources were claiming that Robert Troy “is almost certain to be selected to run”. The Longford Leader (3rd September 2015) reported that six candidates would be contesting the Fianna Fail selection convention, following the close of nominations on Friday 28th August 2015, with Emer Gavin, the chair of Athlone Comhairle Ceantair, also being confirmed as an official party nominee, in addition to Robert Troy and Aengus O’Rourke, as well as Connie Gerrety, Pat O’Rourke and Seamus Butler. It was decided to hold separate conventions for Longford and Westmeath on different dates. At the Westmeath selection convention at the Mullingar Park Hotel in Mullingar on 11th September 2015, Emer Gavin and Aengus O’Rourke withdrew and this left Deputy Robert Troy to be selected as the Westmeath-based candidate unopposed. The Longford Leader (7th October 2015) notes that the date of the Longford convention has been set provisionally for Monday 19th October, although this may be moved to the following weekend, as noted on the Shannonside Radio website (7th October 2015). According to the Longford Leader (15th October 2015), this Longford selection convention has now been postponed until 29th October 2015. The Longford Leader (29th October 2015) has reported that it has now been decided by Fianna Fail party headquarters that the candidate selected at this convention must be a female, which would effectively result in the automatic selection of Connie Gerrety – a decision that is likely to result in protests at the October 29th selection convention in the Longford Arms Hotel. After a rambunctious selection convention, Connie Gerrety-Quinn was declared as the Longford Fianna Fail candidate, as reported by the Longford Leader (29th October 2015). Reistance to this decision has continued following the selection convention, with the Longford Leader (30th November 2015) reporting that a meeting of the local party organisation is to take place on 2nd December 2015 with a view to nominating their “preferred candidate”. It is claimed that the name of this candidate will then be forwarded to a meeting of the party’s Ard Comhairle on 10th December 2015, but Fianna Fail headquarters have said that this meeting will not be recognised by the party. The Shannonside Radio website (24th December 2015) has reported that Cllr. Seamus Butler is now considering whether or not to contest the election as an independent candidate.

Fine Gael deputy, James Bannon, has announced his intention of contesting the next general election. The Longford Leader (5th June 2015) reported that Cllr. Micheal Carrigy could be contesting this nomination with Deputy Bannon, with the Fine Gael convention expected to take place in late June.  However, the Shannonside Radio website noted on 16th June 2015 that he had decided not to contest this convention, but had the intention to contest conventions for future general elections. The Shannonside website has noted that this convention will take place on 29th June 2015, with no clear indication yet as to whether Fine Gael will opt to run with one or two Westmeath-based candidates. Only two candidates were selected at the party convention on 29th June 2015, with incumbent deputies, Gabrielle McFadden and James Bannon, selected at this. According to a report on the Shannonside Radio website, a directive that the party would run a male candidate and a female candidate ensured that Deputy McFadden was automatically selected, while Deputy Bannon narrowly defeated Cllr. Burke (possibly by a margin as low as two votes) in the contest for the other place on the Fine Gael ticket. On 13th November 2015, it was announced that Cllr. Peter Burke would be added to the list of Fine Gael candidates for this constituency, as noted by The Westmeath Examiner (13th November 2015).

Independent councillor, Michael O’Brien, is contemplating whether to run in the next general election or not, potentially for the independent alliance being formed by Shane Ross. In September 2015, he confirmed that he would not contest the election and would instead support the candidacy of Kevin “Boxer” Moran. James Morgan, who ran as an independent candidate in the by-election, has held meetings with Michael Fitzmaurice TD but has yet to decide on whether he will be contesting the next general election. He also held a meeting with Lucinda Creighton in early January 2015, according to reports in the Longford Leader (9th/16th January 2015). On 23rd September 2015, he officially confirmed his intention to contest the election as an independent candidate under the Independent Alliance banner. On 29th June 2015, it was confirmed that Cllr. Kevin “Boxer” Moran – who had earlier confirmed that he would be contesting the election – would be a member of the Independent Alliance group of candidates. Former Fine Gael councillor, Frank Kilbride, had announced that he will be contesting the constituency as an independent candidate, as reported by the Shannonside Radio website on 23rd June 2015.  However, in January 2016 he announced that he was withdrawing from the contest as he wished to devote his efforts to building up his business interests, as reported by Shannonside Radio (13th January 2015). As reported in the Longford Leader (24th June 2015), Barbara Smyth (who contested the Longford electoral area as a Sinn Fein candidate at the 2014 Local Elections) will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. As reported by the Shannonside Radio website (7th January 2016), Athlone-based independent, Donal Jackson, who contested the previous general election in 2011 and the by-election in 2014, has announced his intention to contest the general election.

On 20th October 2015, Cllr. Gerry Warnock was announced as a Social Democrats candidate for this constituency, having earlier declared his intention to contest this constituency as an independent candidate. However on 13th January 2016 the Social Democrats announced that he was withdrawing from the election contest for “personal and professional reasons”. 

Paul Hogan was selected to contest the election as the Sinn Fein candidate at a convention on 29th January 2015. In Winter 2015, he “rubbished” reports that he was thinking of withdrawing from the election contest, arguing that the ” the vast majority of Sinn Féin members in both Longford and Westmeath” were supporting his candidature, as reported in the Athlone Advertiser (3rd December 2015). 

Rachel Grimes, who was a Labour Party candidate at the May 2014 County Council elections, has joined Renua Ireland and is a “declared candidate” who will be seeking the party nomination to contest this constituency. 

The People Before Profit Alliance has announced that they will be running a candidate in this constituency, as noted in the Westmeath Examiner (23rd April 2015). Jimmy Duffy was selected to contest the constituency for the People Before Profit Alliance in early May 2015, as noted in the Westmeath Examiner (12th May 2015). This campaign was officially launched in the Newbury Hotel on 11th May 2015 (as noted in the Westmeath Examiner, 23rd May 2015). However in November 2015 it was announced that he was withdrawing from the election contest due to personal circumstances. The newly formed Anti Austerity Alliance group in Athlone has announced that it is likely that they will be fielding a candidate in the general election, as noted on the Shannonside Radio website.

The Irish Independent (20th October 2015) reported that Deputy Willie Penrose (Labour) has yet to decide on whether he will contest the election, or not. The Athlone Advertiser (3rd December 2015)has reported that he is likely to make a decision on this over the coming weeks. A report on the Westmeath Independent website on 14th December 2015 confirmed that Deputy Penrose would be the Labour Party candidate in this constituency, noting that he would be the only candidate to contest the party convention which is scheduled to take place on 15th December 2015 in Milltown Community Hall, Rathconrath.

On 21st December 2015 the Anti Austerity Alliance announced that Dom Parker would be their candidate in this constituency. 

According to the Direct Democracy Ireland website (as of January 2016), Stephanie Healy will be their candidate in this constituency.

As reported by Mary Minihan for the Irish Times (13th January 2016), journalist Manchán Magan will be contesting this constituency for the Green Party.

As reported on the Midlands 103 website (19th January 2016) Brian Fagan – who also contested the by-election in 2014 – will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. He has now joined the Independent Alliance grouping of independents, making it three Independent Alliance candidates in this constituency, as reported by the Westmeath Examiner (5th February 2015).

As reported on the Shannonside Radio website (3rd February 2016), Kilbeggan-based James Miller, running under the Public Banking Alliance umbrella, will be contesting this election as an independent candidate.

As reported by the Longford Leader (8th February 2016), Cllr. Mae Sexton – who was a Progressive Democrat TD for Longford-Roscommon between 2002-07 – will be contesting the election here as an independent candidate.

As noted by Shannonside Radio website (11th February 2016), Noel McKervey of the Catholic Democrats was a late addition to the candidates list here.)

Louth (5 seats – 16 candidates): Fergus O’Dowd FG, Peter Fitzpatrick FG, Declan Breathnach FF, Emma Coffey FF, Mary Moran LAB, Ged Nash LAB, Gerry Adams SF, Imelda Munster SF, Michael O’Dowd RN, Gareth Weldon PBPA, Mark Dearey GP, Anthony Connor DDI-NCM, Pat Greene DDI-NCM, Kevin Callan IND/IND ALL, Maeve Yore IND/IND ALL, David Bradley IND

The Notice of Poll for the Louth constituency (via the Louth Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(With Seamus Kirk retiring from national politics at the next general election (announced in September 2014), councillors Liam Reilly and Declan Breathnach have both announced their intentions of contesting the Fianna Fail selection convention. Drogheda-based barrister, Anthony Moore, will also be contesting this selection convention. According to the Dundalk Democrat of 17th March 2015, this convention was likely to take place at the end of May. However, the 9th June 2015 edition of the Dundalk Democrat suggested that this convention was now likely to take place after the summer of 2015.  The Talk of the Town website (22nd August 2015) reported that the convention was now likely to take place at the end of September and that five candidates had put their names forward to contest this, including party activist, John Temple, and Drogheda-based solicitor, Emma Coffey, in addition to Liam Reilly, Declan Breathnach and Anthony Moore. Cllr. Declan Breathnach and Emma Coffey was selected at the convention, which took place on 28th September 2015. A gender directive ensured that Emma Coffey would be selected, while Declan Breathnach defeated Anthony Moore, Liam Reilly and John Temple for the remaining place on the Fianna Fail ticket. 

Party leader, Gerry Adams TD and Cllr. Imelda Munster were both selected at the Sinn Fein party selection convention on 23rd February 2015.

The Dundalk Democrat (3rd March 2015) had reported that Ardee-based Cllr. Dolores Minogue will seek a nomination from Fine Gael to contest the general election. According to the 9th June 2015 edition of the Dundalk Democrat, the candidates contesting this convention were expected to be Deputies Fergus O’Dowd and Peter Fitzpatrick, as well as Cllr. Minogue, Cllr. Colm Markey from Ardee, Cllr. Sharon Tolan from Bettystown and Cllr. Paddy Meade from Lobinstown. This convention was expected to take place on 11th June 2015, but it was postponed. On 17th June 2015, it was reported on the LMFM website that Deputy Peter Fitzpatrick had announced that he would not be seeking a party nomination to contest the next general election in Louth. (However, as reported by Mary Minihan in The Irish Times (23rd June 2015), he had not ruled out contesting the next general election under a different political banner.) The Talk of the Town website (18th June 2015) has noted that it had been expected that Cllr. John McGahon would replace Deputy Fitzpatrick on the party ticket. However Peter Fitzpatrick subsequently changed his mind and contest the convention in the end, which took place in the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Dundalk on 9th July 2015, at which both he and Fergus O’Dowd were selected. While Cllrs. Paddy Meade, Sharon Tolan, Dolores Minogue and Colm Markey had also been nominated, a party directive on the night determined that one candidate from the Dundalk area and one candidate from the Drogheda area be selected. The “This is Ardee” (17th November 2015) website has speculated that Cllr. Dolores Minogue could yet be added as a third Fine Gael candidate for Louth. 

The Talk of the Town website has reported that Labour is likely to run just one candidate in Louth, with that candidate likely to be Deputy Ged Nash. But it transpired that the party selected two candidates at their convention on 30th June 2015, with Senator Mary Moran also being selected along with Deputy Nash. 

The Dundalk Democrat (12th May 2015) has suggested that the Renua Ireland candidate in this constituency is likely to be former Fine Gael councillor, Michael O’Dowd. On 28th September 2015 it was confirmed that Michael O’Dowd would be contesting this constituency for Renua Ireland. 

Kevin Callan announced his intention to contest the election as an independent candidate in November 2014. On 29th June 2015 it was announced that he would be joining the Independents Alliance grouping. As suggested by an Irish Times report (29th September 2015), Cllr. Maeve Yore will contest this constituency as an independent candidate alligned with the Independent Alliance.

According to the People Before Profit Alliance website, Gareth Weldon will be their candidate in this constituency

Cllr Mark Dearey was selected unopposed to contest Louth for the Green Party in late October/early November 2015.

There had been speculation that Brendan Ogle would contest this constituency for the Right2Change grouping, but he confirmed on the George Hook show on 15th December 2015 that he would not be contesting the election.

As noted on the Irish Election Literature website (8th February 2016), David Bradley will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.

Jeff Ruff was selected to contest this constituency for United People, as noted by the Talk of the Town website (10th November 2015), but he did not submit candidate nomination papers in the end.)

Mayo (4 seats – 16 candidates): Enda Kenny FG, Michael Ring FG, Michelle Mulherin FG, Lisa Chambers FF, Dara Calleary FF, Rose Conway-Walsh SF, Tom Moran PBP, Michael Farrington REN, Margaret Sheehan GP, Gerry O’Boyle IND, George O’Malley IND/FIM, Peter Jordan IND/FIM, Jerry Cowley IND/NDNV, Kamal Uddin IUND, Sean Forkan IND, Stephen Manning IND

(Cllr. Lisa Chambers has been endorsed by the Fianna Fail Castlebar Cumann to be a candidate for the party at the next general election. The Fianna Fail selection convention was scheduled to take place on March 22nd 2015, with Deputy Dara Calleary and Lisa Chambers “certain to be selected” according to the Connaught Telegraph (17th February 2015). The Telegraph also pointed to speculation that cumainn in the east of the county are seeking to have third Fianna Fail candidate, based in eastern Mayo, on the party ticket. The candidate favoured by the east Mayo delegates was Leonard Ryan. A local party meeting in Castlebar on 6th March 2015 voted in favour of a three candidate strategy, although – as the post on the Midwest radio website notes, “the final decision rests with the National Constituencies Committee of the Fianna Fail Ard Comhairle”.  But, according to a report in The Mayo News (10th March 2015), Party Headquarters have been warned of “serious repercussions” if the wishes of the local organisation for a three-candidate strategy is ignored. Prior to the convention, as noted in The Mayo News (24th March 2015), the name of Cllr. Brendan Mulroy was added to the list of candidates to contest this convention, along with Lisa Chambers, Dara Calleary and Leonard Ryan. Due to the conflicts between the local organisation and party headquarters as to the candidate strategy, the convention has now been postponed and was not likely to be held until May. The rescheduled convention was to take place on Friday 12th June 2015 at the Welcome Inn Hotel in Castlebar, according to the Connaught Telegraph (5th June 2015). It was decided that a form of districting will be involved here with the constituency being split in two for the purposes of this. These two areas – largely amounting to the old Mayo East and Mayo West constituency areas – will effectively have their own separate convention contests, with Cllrs. Lisa Chambers and Brendan Mulroy to contest the West Mayo district, while the East Mayo district contest will be contested by Deputy Dara Calleary and Leonard Ryan. As noted in the Mayo News (9th June), a number of party members – particularly in east Mayo – are unhappy with this process of districting and also want the party to select three candidates, not two, at the convention. Cllr. Lisa Chambers and Deputy Dara Calleary were selected to contest the constituency for Fianna Fail at the party convention on 12th June 2015, which was attended by over 500 delegates. Brendan Mulroy withdrew, leaving Lisa Chambers unopposed in the Castlebar/West Mayo district vote, while Dara Calleary defeated Leonard Ryan by 179 votes to 84 votes in the Ballina/East Mayo district vote, according to the Connaught Telegraph (12th June 2015).  

Cllr. Christy Hyland is considering whether he will the next election as an independent candidate, potentially as part of the independent alliance involving Shane Ross and other independent politicians. A report in the Mayo News notes that Shane Ross met with Cllr. Hyland during the Christmas holidays, but he also met with other independent councillors, Michael Kilcoyne, Gerry Ginty and Seamus Weir, while the Connaught Telegraph (6th January 2015) also noted that he met with Cllr. Richard Finn. Gerry O’Boyle of the Land League West, who contested the 2014 Roscommon-South Leitrim by-election, revealed (via the Mayo Advertiser (27th March 2015)) that he would be contesting the Mayo constituency. According to the Connaught Telegraph (28th April 2015), Cllr Michael Kilcoyne has not ruled out contesting the general election. The Mayo News (12th January 2016) has reported that he is expected to make a decision on whether to run or not by the middle of January 2016. The same Mayo News article also reports that former independent Dail deputy and 2011 General Election candidate for Labour, Jerry Cowley, is considering whether or not to contest the election on the issue of rural GPs, while Cllr. Seamus Weir is also considering his options.

A group of local community groups took out advertisements in national newspapers on 2nd March 2015, calling for expressions of interest from people who would be interested in running as an independent candidate, who would be supported by these groups, in Mayo at the general election. Based on a report in The Mayo News (24th March 2015), potential candidates will take part in a series of “around 25 town-hall meetings” across the constituency, before a caucus is held to decide on the number of candidates to be run by the group and who those candidates will be. This First Independent Mayo group, according to the Mayo Advertiser (8th May 2015) will present a shortlist of seven to eight candidates on May 15th, with one of these to be selected to run on this group’s behalf after a series of town hall meetings over the coming months. It was announced that the seven applicants who will be taking part in this process are Richard O’Donnell, Liam Alex Heffron, Peter Jordan, Stephen Manning, George O’Malley, Dermot Rice, Dualta Roughneen and Lucy Weir. In The Mayo News (13th October 2015), it was reported that the First Independent Mayo group would run three or four candidates in the elections, with its declared candidates being “George O’Malley, Ritchie O’Donnell and either Martin Daly or Peter Jordan”. The same article reported that, at that point in time, Cllr. Michael Kilcoyne had yet to make a decision on whether to contest the general election, or not.  By early 2016 no First Independent Mayo candidate had emerged, but The Mayo News (12th January 2016) reported that the group was still expected to announce a candidate. In January 2016, it was announced that the First Independent Mayo candidates would be George O’Malley and Peter Jordan, as reported in The Mayo Advertiser (15th January 2016).

The 6th January 2015 edition of the Connaught Telegraph also noted that John O’Mahony could be potentially put forward to take up the position of Ceann Comhairle if Sean Barrett were to step down before the election was called. However, the following week’s edition (13th January 2015) suggested that Michael Ring would be more likely to take this position if it a decision was to be made to appoint a Mayo-based TD to this position. As noted in the Connaught Telegraph (24th April 2015), John O’Mahony declared on 23rd April 2015 that he would be contesting the Galway West constituency. According to the Connaught Telegraph (13th October 2015), the Fine Gael selection convention is expected to take place on 19th October 2015 at the McWilliam Park Hotel in Claremorris and will not be contested as the only nominations include the three incumbents, Deputies Enda Kenny, Michelle Mulherin and Michael Ring. The three incumbents were selected at this convention, as reported in The Connaught Telegraph (20th October 2015).

The Connaught Telegraph (24th February 2015) reported that Cllr. Therese Ruane would not be contesting the Sinn Fein selection convention. Cllr. Rose Conway-Walsh was selected at this convention, which took place on 1st March 2015. According to The Connaught Telegraph (7th July 2015), Sinn Fein party headquarters have turned down a request from local party members in the east of the county to add Charlestown-based Cllr. Gerry Murray to the party ticket.

Renua Ireland, who are holding a public meeting in Claremorris on 21st July 2015, intend to run a candidate in Mayo and are currently seeking declarations of interest from people who may wish to be the party candidate, according to the Mayo Advertiser (17th July 2015). Cllr. Frank Durcan has joined Renua Ireland, as noted on the Midwest Radio website (27th July 2015) and on the Mayo News website (28th July 2015), but he has stated that he does not intend to contest the general election in Mayo. In the Wetern People (27th July 2015), it was suggested that Renua may look towards East Mayo as an area that they might run a candidate from, given that there are no Fine Gael, Fianna Fail or Sinn Fein candidates based in this area. On 4th November, as reported by the Mayo News, it was announced that Kiltimagh-based Michael Farrington would be the Renua Ireland candidate in this constituency.

Margaret Sheehan will be contesting Mayo for the Green Party.

It was reported on the Mayo News website (11th August 2015) that Tom Moran had been selected to contest the constituency for the People Before Profit Alliance.

The Connaught Telegraph (22nd September 2015) has pointed to speculation that Independent MEP, and former Roscommon-South Leitrim Dail deputy, Luke Ming Flanagan, may contest this constituency at the upcoming election.

As reported by the Mayo News (25th January 2016), Former TD, Jerry Cowley, is to contest the election as an independent candidate, linked to the “No Doctor, No Village” campaign.

As reported by the Mayo News (11th February 2016), Sean Forkan, Kamal Uddin and Stephen Manning will also be contesting this constituency as independent candidates.)

Meath East (3 seats – 12 candidates): Regina Doherty FG, Helen McEntee FG, Thomas Byrne FF, Dominic Hannigan LAB, Darren O’Rourke SF, Seán Ó Buachalla GP, Seamus McDonagh WP, Aisling O’Neill SD, Ben Gilroy DDI-NCM, Sarah Tyrell REN, Sharon Keogan IND, Joe Bonner IND/IND ALL

(The Fianna Fail selection convention was to take place in early February 2015. Senator Thomas Byrne was to contest this. He was selected as the Fianna Fail candidate at this convention on 5th February 2015.

Cllr. Darren O’Rourke was selected to contest the election for Sinn Fein at a convention on 22nd January 2015.

Dominic Hannigan TD was selected to contest Meath East as the Labour Party candidate on 24th February 2015.

Deputies Regina Doherty and Helen McEntee were selected to contest this constituency for Fine Gael at the party convention on 29th March 2015.

Seamus McDonagh will be the Workers Party candidate in this constituency.

Sean O Buachalla will again be the Green Party candidate in this constituency.

On 20th October 2015, Aisling O’Neill  (who was an independent local election candidate in the Ashbourne EA at the 2014 elections) was announced as a Social Democrats candidate for this constituency.

As reported in the Meath Chronicle (15th September 2015), Cllr. Sharon Keogan will be contesting this constituency as a “solo independent” candidate.

Sarah Tyrell will be contesting this constituency for Renua Ireland, as confirmed by the party in early February 2016.

On 8th February, it was confirmed that Ashbourne-based Cllr. Joe Bonner would be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate, aligned with the Independent Alliance.)

Meath West (3 seats – 9 candidates): Damien English FG, Ray Butler FG, Shane Cassells FF, Tracy McElhinney LAB, Peadar Tóibín SF, Seamus McMenamin GP, Alan Lawes DDI-NCM, Trevor Golden IND, John Malone IND

(Shane Cassells has announced his intention to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention. The Fianna Fail selection convention has been scheduled to take place on Thursday 30th April 2015. The Meath Chronicle (30th April 2015) had noted that this convention will be contested by Cllr. Shane Cassells, Cllr Ronan McKenna and former councillor, Jenny McHugh. But it was ultimately just contested by Cllrs. McKenna and Cassells, as Jenny McHugh withdrew from the race, and the contest was won by Shane Cassells. The Meath Chronicle (9th May 2015) suggests that Cllr. Cassells won this vote on a 160-109 margin. Deputy Peadar Tóibín was selected as the Sinn Fein candidate at a party convention on 5th February 2015. Seamus McMenamin is contesting this constituency for the Green Party. Tracy McElhinney was selected to contest the constituency for the Labour Party at the party selection convention on 29th May 2015. This was not contested. Deputies Damien English and Ray Butler were selected to contest the election for Fine Gael on 16th July 2015.

On 5th December 2015 Alan Lawes announced that he would be contesting the Meath West constituency for the National Citizens Movement.

On February 3rd 2016 Cllr. Trevor Golden announced his intention to contest the election here as an independent candidate. As reported by the Westmeath Examiner (11th February 2016), Oldcastle-based John Malone will also be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.)

Roscommon-Galway (3 seats – 12 candidates): Maura Hopkins FG, Eugene Murphy FF, Shane Curran FF, John Kelly LAB, Claire Kerrane SF, Eddie Conroy PBP, Anne Farrell RN, Miriam Hennesy GP, Michael Fitzmaurice IND/IND ALL, Denis Naughten IND, Thomas Declan Fallon IND, Tony Coleman IND

(Fianna Fail by-election candidate, Ivan Connaughton, seems unlikely to be in contention for a nomination here after calling for the resignation of party leader, Micheal Martin, and claiming he would not contest the nomination if the party leadership remained as was. A report on the Shannonside radio website suggests that Balygar GP, Martin Daly, might potentially be a Fianna Fail candidate in this constituency. Cllr. Eugene Murphy has announced his intention of contesting the Fianna Fail selection convention, as noted on the Shannonside Radio website (7th April 2015). Also contesting this Fianna Fail nomination will be Cllr. Paschal Fitzmaurice, Dr.  Keith Swanick and Mr. Alan Kelly, according to the Roscommon People (23rd July 2015). The Shannonside Radio website (6th August 2015) reported that Fianna Fail had moved to deny rumours that an interview process would be used to select candidates here instead of a selection convention. Speculation that former Dublin South-West TD, Conor Lenihan, might contest the convention has met with resistance from local party members, according to the Roscommon People (27th August 2015), with the paper also reporting that by-election candidate, Cllr. Ivan Connaughton, was about to leave the party and might conrest the election as an independent candidate. However, Cllr. Connaughton was one of a list of ten nominees to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention, which was published on 2nd October 2015, while Conor Lenihan was not. The list of nominees would include Cllrs. Orla Leyden, Rachel Doherty, Ivan Connaughton, John Keogh and Eugene Murphy, as well as Alan Kelly, Keith Swannick, Nora Fahy, Larry Brennan and Sean Og Higgins. Shannonside Radio (7th October 2015) later reported on their website that Cllr. Rachel Doherty had withdrawn from contesting the convention and would instead be supporting the candidacy of Cllr. Eugene Murphy. A series of further withdrawals, including Keith Swannick, Alan Kelly and Cllr. Ivan Connaughton, has, according to the Shannonside Radio website (15th October 2015), left just four candidates in contention for the Fianna Fail nomination – Cllrs. Eugene Murphy and John Keogh, as well as Sean Og Higgins and Larry Brennan. The Roscommon People (22nd October 2015) noted Alan Kelly’s withdrawal from the contest and noted that only three candidates remained in contention at that stage. As of late November 2015, as reported by the Roscommon Herald (23rd November 2015), no date had been set for the Fianna Fail selection convention. It was reported by The Roscommon People (7th December 2015) that Larry Brennan had also withdrawn from the selection contest, with the paper noting that Fianna Fail selection convention now looked “set to be a head-to-head between Cllr. Eugene Murphy and Ballintubber’s Seán Óg Higgins”. The Roscommon People (7th December 2015), however, also reported speculation that there may not be a Fianna Fail selection convention for this constituency, but that the candidate may be imposed by party headquarters instead. As reported on the Shannonside Radio website (3rd December 2015), Fianna Fail have however claimed that there is no basis to the claims that a candidate will be imposed in this constituency and the party claims that they are currently finalising their selection process. The Shannonside Radio website (December 14th 2015) has reported on speculation that former Roscommon Gaelic Football goalkeeper, Shane Curran, could be considered as a potential Fianna Fail candidate. But the Fianna Fail selection convention was finally held on Sunday 20th December 2015 at the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon. This went to a vote. Cllr. Eugene Murphy won this over Frank Og Higgins on a 216-145 vote margin. The Irish Times reported on 10th January 2016 that Fianna Fail were likely to add Shane Curran as a second party candidate here in the coming days. On his Twitter feed Shane Curran had suggested that the Irish Times had jumped the gun on this, but speculation that he was about to be added to the Fianna Fail ticket was again reported by The Examiner (13th January 2016) some days later. Confirmation that Shane Curran was indeed being added to the Fianna Fail ticket came through on 3rd February 2016.

At the Longford Women’s Link seminar on 30th January 2015, Cllr. Kathleen Shanagher said that she had not ruled out the prospect of contesting the election. Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice is one of the independent TDs associated with the Independents Alliance grouping. Shannonside Radio website (5th May 2015) notes that Paddy McCann has not ruled out the possibility of contesting the election here on behalf of the Irish Postmasters’ Union. 

Claire Kerrane was selected as the Sinn Féin candidate at the party convention on 22nd March 2015. According to the Roscommon Herald (23rd March 2015), she “was unanimously selected after no other names went forward for the selection convention”.

Senator John Kelly was selected to contest this constituency at the Labour Party selection convention in Ballaghadereen on 29th June 2015.

Deputy Frank Feighan has announced that he will not be contesting the Fine Gael selection convention, as he believed he had too much “baggage” over the Roscommon Hospital issue, as noted in the Roscommon People (July 16th 2015). The party selection conventionwill take place on September 11th 2015 in the Abbey Hotel in Roscommon town, with Cllr. Maura Hopkins the only confirmed candidate for this at this point in July 2015. However, the Shannonside Radio website (7th September 2015) confirmed that both Cllr. Hopkins and Ballinasloe-based Senator Michael Mullins are going forward to the selection convention on 11th September, with there being every likelihood that both candidates will be selected. However, a one-candidate strategy was issued at the convention, leading Senator Mullins to withdraw his name from convention. Cllr. Maura Hopkins was selected unopposed to contest the constituency for Fine Gael, as a result.

Following an interview process, Balintubber-based Anne Farrell, who is the sister of Senator John Kelly, has been selected to contest this constituency for Renua Ireland, as reported on the Shannonside Radio website on 6th August 2015.

As noted on the Shannonside Radio website (10th August 2015), Eddie Conroy will contest this consituency for the People Before Profit Alliance.

Miriam Hennesy will be contesting this constituency for the Green Party.

As noted by Shannonside Radio website (11th February 2016), Thomas Declan Fallon and Tony Coleman were late additions (as independents) to the candidates list here.)

Sligo-Leitrim (4 seats – 18 candidates): Tony McLoughlin FG, Gerry Reynolds FG, John Perry FG, Eamon Scanlon FF, Marc McSharry FF, Paddy O’Rourke FF, Susan O’Keeffe LAB, Martin Kenny SF, Chris MacManus SF, Finbar Filan RN, Nigel Gallagher PBPA, Leslie O’Hora GP, Marie Casserly IND/IND ALL, Declan Bree IND, Des Guckian IND, Bernard Sweeney IND, Bernie O’Hara IND, Eamonn Murray IND

(Speculation in the Leitrim Observer (28th January 2015) as to likely candidates for the Fianna Fail selection convention has noted Sen. Marc McSharry and former deputy, Eamon Scanlon, as being potential candidates for the Sligo/south Donegal part of the constituency, with the potential names being mentioned for the Leitrim/west Cavan part of the constituency including Cllrs. Sinead Guckian, Paddy O’Rourke and John Paul Feely. A report on the Ocean FM website (27th March 2015) noted that five or six candidates were expected to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention – including Cllrs. Sinead Guckian and Paddy O’Rourke (Leitrim), John Paul Feeley (Cavan) and Eamon Scanlon (Sligo) and Senator Marc McSharry But no decision had been taken yet on the number of candidates to be selected at this convention.  Reports on the Sligo Today and Ocean FM websites on 31st March 2015 increased the number of candidates for the Fianna Fail selection to eight, with former Dail deputy, John Ellis, and Senator Paschal Mooney (both of Leitrim) also being included in the list, as well as West Cavan-based, Brid Ni Dholain, from Killeshandra. The Sligo Today website noted that: “It is believed that two selection conventions will take place with weeks, one for Sligo and South Donegal, the other for County Leitrim”. Both sites noted that no candidate from the south Donegal area has emerged. The Ocean FM site noted that a date has yet to be set for this convention/these conventions and, while noting that Fianna Fail “wants to ensure that there is a good geographical spread (in their candidate selections), according to local sources”. A later post on the Ocean FM website (7th April 2015) however suggested that there would be just one selection convention for the entire constituency, as a result meaning “that there is no guarantee a candidate from both Leitrim and Sligo will represent Fianna Fáil in the next general election”. It has now been decided that two candidates will be selected at the convention, which is to take place on 17th April 2015, with a number of Leitrim candidates, such as Mooney, Ellis and O’Rourke, withdrawing, with John Ellis claiming that “the way the convention is now set up works against the selection of a Leitrim candidate”, according to the OceanFM website. Given that the party has decided to run just two candidates and that the decision to have an open vote is seen to favour Sligo-based candidates, as Sligo has the largest number of delegates, the Leitrim Observer (17th April 2015) has argued that this will leave Leitrim without a Fianna Fail candidate at the general election. Brid Ni Dholain also withdrew ahead of the convention. Eamon Scanlon and Marc McSharry were selected to contest Sligo-Leitrim for Fianna Fail at this convention. Sinead Guckian and John Paul Feeley lost out in the convention vote. Nearly six hundred (598) votes were cast at this convention. According to the Ocean FM website (18th April 2015), the vote on the first count was: 275 votes: Marc MacSharry, 157 votes: Eamon Scanlon, 94 votes: Sinead Guckian and 72 votes: John Paul Feeley. According to the Sligo Today website, transfers favoured Sinead Guckian in the following counts, before she narrowly lost out to Eamon Scanlon – Second Count: Scanlon 187 (+30), Guckian 134 (+40), Feeley 77 (+5); Third Count: Scanlon 206 (+19), Guckian 184 (+50). A report in the Leitrim Observer (24th April 2015) has suggested that Fianna Fail party headquarters are likely to add a third candidate here before the general election, with this likely to be Cllr. Sinead Guckian. The Leitrim Observer (31st July 2015) noted that party headquarters had spoken with a number of Leitrim-based female members, including Co. Leitrim Fianna Fail PRO, < and former local election candidate, Siobhan Finnegan-McElgunn, in relation to the prospects of being added as a third party candidate in this constituency.  This had also been discussed with Cllr. Guckian, but she said she would not agree to be added to the ticket without a clear vote management strategy – otherwise, she argued, any added candidate would just be a “token add-on”. According to the Sligo Champion (14th November 2015), Fianna Fail are still contemplating whether to run a third, Leitrim-based, candidate in this constituency. In January 2016, it was announced that Leitrim Councillor, Paddy O’Rourke, would be added as a third Fianna Fail candidate in this constituency, as reported on the Shannonside Radio website (16th January 2016). 

Deputy Michael Colreavy will not be contesting this election for Sinn Fein, but Leitrim councillor and Roscommon-South Leitrim by-election candidate, Martin Kenny, has indicated that he intends to contest the Sinn Fein selection convention here. With Sligo-based Cllr. Thomas Healy not contesting, this convention was to be decided between Martin Kenny and former Sligo Borough Councillor, Chris MacManus. Martin Kenny won this convention, which was held on 1st March 2015, although it has been suggested that the party may decide to run two candidates in this constituency. Indeed, as noted on the Ocean FM website (24th July 2015), the party was to hold another convention to select a second candidate for this constituency in August 2015. According to the Shannonside Radio website, only delegates from Sligo and south Donegal would be voting at this second convention, taking place in the Southern Hotel in Sligo on 4th August 2015, with it being expected that Chris MacManus will  be confirmed as the second Sinn Fein candidate at this. Chris MacManus was indeed selected at this convention.

Senator Michael Comiskey has announced that he intends to contest the Fine Gael selection convention – the Ocean FM site suggests that the two incumbents, Tony McLoughlin TD and John Perry TD are likely to also contest this, as well as Leitrim-based Cllr. John McCartin. In an interview with Ocean FM (23rd June 2015), Deputy McLoughlin confirmed that he would be contesting the party selection convention, which is expected to be held in September 2015. It has now been confirmed that the selection convention will take place on 18th September 2015. Leitrim councillor, John McCartin, will not be contesting this selection convention but Michael Comiskey will be contesting this. Deputies Perry and McLoughlin will also be contesting the selection convention, which will be held in Drumshanbo. The Ocean FM websote (2nd September 2015) has reported that former Dail deputy, Gerry Reynolds, and Senator Imelda Henry may also be contesting the Fine Gael nomination for this constituency. The Ocean FM website (6th September 2015) confirmed that the four candidates contesting the selection convention at the Mayflower in Drumshanbo would be Deputies John Perry and Tony McLoughlin, Senator Michael Comiskey and former Dail deputy, Gerry Reynolds.  This selection convention, however, has now been postponed until October 16th 2015 “to allow internal consultations with party activists”, as reported on the Shannonside Radio website (9th September 2015). According to the Northern Sound website (17th September 2015), this convention will now take place on 16th October 2015 in the Mayflower in Drumshanbo. The Northern Sound website (14th October 2015) notes that two candidates are likely to be selected at this convention, with one candidate to be selected from Sligo and one from Leitrim. This would leave Gerry Reynolds and Michael Comiskey to contest the Leitrim nomination, while Deputies John Perry and Tony McLoughlin would contest the Sligo nomination. Deputy Tony McLaughlin and Gerry Reynolds were selected at this convention. According to the Irish Times (17th October 2015), Gerry Reynolds topped the poll with 228 first preference votes, with Michael Comiskey second on 188 votes, followed by Tony McLoughlin on 140 votes and John Perry on 130 votes. According to a report in the Irish Independent (17th October 2015), it does not look likely that John Perry will be added to the Fine Gael candidate list with party sources claiming that the ticket looks “pretty full”. This would leave him as the only TD to be be deselected in this series of general election candidate selections. As reported on the Sligo Today website (21st October 2015), John Perry, however, claims that he expects to be added to the ticket, claiming that the Taoiseach had made a guarantee at a Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting that every sitting Fine Gael TD would be allowed to stand. It is now believed that a final decision on his candidacy will not be made for a few weeks, after the party’s executive council has had time to review the situation in each constituency and reviewed all potential headquarters additions. As reported on the Ocean FM website (15th December 2015), John Perry has taken an action to the High Court to apply for an injunction to stop Fine Gael from ratifying the candidates selected at the 16th October convention, claiming that there “were a number of irregularities that spoiled the final vote” at this convention. After some speculation in the national (print) media on 22nd December 2015 that Fine Gael’s improving national poll figures might lead to him being added to the ticket, it was confirmed on that same day that a recommendation would be made to the Fine Gael national executive that John Perry be added to the Fine Gael ticket for Sligo-Leitrim, as reported on the Irish Independent website (22nd December 2015).  

Cllr. Marie Casserly announced on 20th May 2015 that she would be contesting the election (as an independent candidate). In September 2015, it was announced that she would be running as part of the Independent Alliance.

The Sligo Today (16th October 2015) website reports that Cllr. Declan Bree will be standing as an independent candidate in this constituency.

On 13th July 2015, Renua Ireland announced that they would be selecting one candidate to contest this constituency. Declarations of interest in being the party candidate were asked to be emailed to the party before 6pm on July 20th 2015, along with a short CV. On 27th July 2015 it was announced that Finbar Filan would be the Renua candidate in Sligo-Leitrim.

On 28th July 2015 it was noted on the Ocean FM website that Nigel Gallagher would be contesting this constituency for the People Before Profit Alliance.

According to the Ocean FM wbesite (11th August 2015), the Labour Party selection convention was to be held on 18th August 2015 in the Sligo Southern Hotel and this was expected to confirm the candidacy of Senator Susan O’Keeffe, as indeed turned out to be the case.

As reported on the Sligo Today website (8th October 2015), Bernard Sweeney, a member of the Traveller Community, will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.

Leslie O’Hora will be contesting this constituency for the Green Party, as noted on the Ocean FM website (5th November 2015).

Gary Smylie declared his intention to contest Sligo-leitrim as an independent candidate on 10th November 2015, with this declaration being referred to in an article on the Sligo Today website (17th November 2015). On 19th January 2016 he withdrew from the contest, however, as he believed that “another Sligo town based anti-austerity and Right2Change candidate (was) polling well” and in with a good chance of winning a seat, as reported on the Sligo Today website (20th January 2016). 

As reported by the Anglo-Celt (8th January 2016), Leitrim-businesswoman, Bernie O’Hara, will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. The Ocean FM website (27th January 2016) reported that Cavan-based, Eamon Murray, who contested the 2014 Local Elections in the Belturbet electoral area, will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate, as did the Shannonside Radio website (27th January 2016). )

Tipperary (5 seats – 13 candidates): Noel Coonan FG, Tom Hayes FG, Marie Murphy FG, Jackie Cahill FF, Siobhan Ambrose FF, Michael Smith FF, Alan Kelly LAB, Seamus Morris SF, Seamus Healy WUAG, Gearoid Fitzgibbon GP, Michael Lowry IND, Mattie McGrath IND, Michael Dillon IND

The Notice of Poll for the Tipperary constituency (via the Tipperary Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(According to the Nenagh Guardian (11th April 2011), Jackie Cahill – the former president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association – is to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention. According to the TippFM website (12th May 2015), six candidates were now “in the hat” to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention, including Cllrs. Michael Smith and John Carroll, as well as Jackie Cahill, from the north of county, along with former Dail Deputy, Martin Mansergh, and Cllrs. Imelda Goldsboro and Siobhan Ambrose from the south of the county. John Carroll withdrew ahead of this convention, which was to take place in the Anner Hotel in Thurles on May 28th 2015, due to a decision made that only one candidate would be selected at this. Cllr. Jackie Cahill was selected at this convention. He narrowly defeated Michael Smith on the final count, with Siobhan Ambrose finishing in third place. Martin Mansergh and Imelda Goldsboro also contested the convention. On 20th July 2015 it was reported that Fianna Fail party headquarters had added Cllr. Michael Smith and Cllr. Siobhan Ambrose to the party ticket for the general election. This decision has been criticised by Jackie Cahill, as noted on the Tipp FM website (27th July 2015). 

Deputies Noel Coonan and Tom Hayes were selected to contest the constituency at the Fine Gael selection convention in the Anner Hotel in Thurles on 8th May 2015. The Nationalist (30th September 2015) has reported that Cllr. Marie Murphy has been added as a third Fine Gael candidate in Tipperary.

Cllr. Richie Molloy has come out in support of the new political party involving Lucinda Creighton and others, but has not confirmed that he intends to seek to run in the next election as a candidate for this party.

According to the Nenagh Guardian (21st March 2015), Cllr. Seamus Morris has declared his intention of contesting the Sinn Fein selection convention in Halla na Feile, Cashel, on 9th April 2015, while the same article notes that this is also likely to be contested by Cllrs. Catherine Carey, Martin Browne and David Dunne. Seamus Morris was selected at the Sinn Fein selection convention, which took place in Halla na Feile in Cashel on 29th June 2015, with Catherine Carey and Martin Browne also contesting this convention.

Seamus Healy is contesting this constituency for the Workers and Unemployed Action Group. Roscrea native, Caroline Hofman announced her intention to contest the election in Tipperary as an independendent candidate on 28th April 2015. However, in January 2016 she announced that she would not be contesting the election.

The Labour Party selection convention was held on 2nd October 2015 in Thurles and Deputy Alan Kelly was the only candidate contesting this. His selection was confirmed at this convention.

On 7th October 2015, Deputy Michael Lowry confirmed his intention to contest Tipperary as an independent candidate.

In November 2015, it was confirmed that Gearoid Fitzgibbon would be the Green Party candidate in this constituency.

Michael Dillon, who contested the 2014 County Council elections in Nenagh, announced that he would be contesting the Tipperary constituency as an independent candidate in December 2015.)

Waterford (4 seats – 12 candidates): John Deasy FG, Paudie Coffey FG, Mary Butler FF, Ciara Conway LAB, David Cullinane SF, Grace O’Sullivan GP, Mailo Power RN, Una Dunphy PBPA, Edward Quilty DDI-NCM, John Halligan IND/IND ALL, Sheikh M Ahmed IND, John Walsh IND

The Notice of Poll for the Waterford constituency (via the Waterford Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(A report in the October 7th 2014 edition of The Munster Express noted that Kieran Hartley, who ran in the European Elections, had been asked to consider running for Fianna Fail. Former independent councillor, Eddie Mulligan, who recently joined Fianna Fail, had also expressed interest in running in the general election. The Munster Express (20th January 2015) has noted that Cllr. Mary Butler has put her name forward to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention, while it was announced in the 27th January 2015 edition of The Munster Express that Cllr. Jason Murphy would also be contesting the Fianna Fail selection convention. The Munster Express (21st April 2015) has subsequently noted that Cllr. Eamon Quinlan will also be contesting the Fianna Fail convention. The Waterford Today (20th May) website noted that five people have expressed an interest in contesting the Fianna Fail nomination – Cllrs. Eddie Mulligan, Mary Butler, Eamon Quinlan, Jason Murphy and M.J. O’Ryan – with this selection convention scheduled to take place in Lawlors Hotel, Dungarvan, on 28th May 2015. Cllr. Mary Butler was selected at this convention. As reported in The Munster Express (13th October 2015), Fianna Fail have not ruled out the possibility that a second candidate might be added in this constituency. 

David Cullinane was selected to contest this constituency for Sinn Fein on 30th January 2015. Deputy John Halligan is one of the independent TDs associated with the Independents Alliance grouping. Deputy Ciara Conway was selected to contest this constituency at the Labour Party selection convention at the Park Hotel in Dungarvan on 21st May 2015.

Deputies Paudie Coffey and John Deasy were selected as the party candidates at the Fine Gael selection convention on 13th July 2015. 

On 14th June 2015, it was announced that Mailo Power had been officially selected to contest this constituency for the new Renua Ireland party.

According to the People Before Profit Alliance website, their candidate in this constituency will be Una Dunphy.

Grace O’Sullivan, who contested the 2014 European elections for the party in the South constituency, will be contesting this constituency for the Green Party, as reported by the Waterford News and Star (6th January 2016).

The WLR FM website (3rd February 2016) has reported that Edward Quilty will be contesting this constituency for Direct Democracy Ireland.

As noted by the Waterford News (11th February 2016), Sheikh M. Ahmed will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. The Waterford News and Star (11th February 2016) reported that John Walsh would also be a late addition to the field here as an independent candidate.)

Wexford (5 seats – 17 candidates): Paul Kehoe FG, Michael D’Arcy FG, Julie Hogan FG, Malcolm Byrne FF, James Browne FF, Aoife Byrne FF, Brendan Howlin LAB, Johnny Mythen SF, Deirdre Wadding PBPA, Leonard Kelly SD, Ann Walsh GP, David Lloyd DDI-NCM, Mick Wallace IND, Emmet Moloney IND, Ger Carthy IND, Paul O’Hanlon IND, Caroline Foxe IND

The Notice of Poll for the Wexford constituency (via the Wexford Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(In an interview on the Pat Kenny show on Newstalk on 7th January 2015, Brendan Howlin said that he intended to contest the next general election. He was selected as the Labour Party candidate at the party’s selection convention in Wexford Town on 16th October 2015.

Due to health problems, Fianna Fail deputy, John Browne, has yet to confirm whether he will seek to contest the next election but is expected to make a decision ahead of a party selection convention in April. On 23rd July 2015, Cllr. Malcolm Byrne announced his intention to contest the Fianna Fail nomination for this constituency. The Irish Independent on 11th August 2015 reported that six candidates were preparing to contest this selection convention, including Deputy Browne and his son Cllr. James Browne (who is likely to step aside if health issues do not prevent his father from contesting the election), as well as Cllrs. Malcolm Byrne, Michael Sheehan, Barbara Ann Murphy and Michael Whelan. As reported on the Wexford People (4th August 2015) website, none of these potential candidates are based in the Wexford Town area/municipal district. Deputy Browne/Cllr. Browne are based in Enniscorthy, Cllr Byrne is based in Gorey, Cllr. Murphy is based in Bunclody, Cllr. Whelan is based in Ballycullane, and Cllr. Sheehan is based in New Ross.  Deputy John Browne will not be contesting the election, as reported in the Wexford Echo (29th September 2015). The Fianna Fail selection convention will take place on 12th October 2015, with Cllrs. Michael Sheehan, Barbara Ann Murphy, Malcolm Byrne, Michael Whelan and James Browne to contest. A decision  to split the county along east-west for the purposes of this convention seems to have guaranteed Cllr. Byrne a nomination, according to the Irish Independent (12th October 2015), with the others (based in the west) left to fight it out for the other nomination. Cllrs. Malcolm Byrne and James Browne were selected at this convention. According to the Wexford People (13th October 2015) the use of districting at the convention in Enniscorthy meant that Cllr. Malcolm Byrne was automatically selected as the only candidate from the eastern part of Wexford (or the “North-South” area). In the contest between the candidates from the western part of Wexford (or the “East-West” area), James Browne won 152 votes at the convention, with Barbara Ann Murphy on 74 votes, Michael Sheehan on 73 votes and Michael Whelan on 3y votes. The Wexford Echo (15th October 2015) points to some disgruntlement amongst New Ross and Wexford Town party members as to the constituency divide applied at the selection convention, with claims made that traditionally the county had been divided on north-south lines and not east-west lines for these purposes. On 4th December 2015, it was announced that Wexford Town-based, and Fethard-on-Sea native, Aoife Byrne would be added as a third candidate to the Fianna Fail ticket for this constituency, as reported by The Wexford Echo. Cllr. Michael Sheehan has expressed frustration at being overlooked for the nomination, as reported by The Wexford People (8th December 2015). However, as reported on the South East Radio website (9th February 2016), he has decided not to leave the party and will not be contesting the election as an independent candidate.

Cllr. Johnny Mythen was selected as the Sinn Fein candidate at the party convention in Ferns on 23rd February 2015. This convention was a contested convention, according to the South East Radio website, with the Wexford People website noting that New Ross councillor, Oisin O’Connell, provided strong competition at this.

The South East Radio website (8th June 2015) has claimed that Shane Dunphy has become the first officially selected candidate for Renua Ireland. On 14th June 2015, it was announced that he had been officially selected to contest this constituency for the party. However, on 7th October 2015 it was announced that he would not be contesting the election. 

An interview in the Wexford People (15th July 2015) has indicated that Deputy Mick Wallace will be contesting the next general election.

It was announced on 17th July 2015 that Deputy Liam Twomey would not be contesting the next general election. Deputy Paul Kehoe and Senator Michael D’Arcy were both selected to contest the constituency for Fine Gael at the party selection convention on 14th September 2015. As reported in the Wexford People (15th September 2015), over five hundred party members attended this convention, which took place in The Riverside Park Hotel in Enniscorthy. This was a contested selection convention, with Cllr. Willie Fitzharris losing out on the night to Deputy Kehoe and Senator D’Arcy.  SouthEast Radio website (27th October 2015) reports that Fine Gael may add a third candidate in this constituency. A third candidate, Julie Hogan – a native of Saltmills who is now living in Wexford Town – was added to the Fine Gael candidate list in early December 2015, as reported by The Chronicle (3rd December 2015) and The Wexford People (15th December 2015). 

According to the People Before Profit Alliance website, their candidate in this constituency will be Cllr. Deirdre Wadding.

It was reported by the Wexford People (18th August 2015) that Caroline Foxe would be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate representing the Irish Postmasters Union. On 1st February 2016 it was announced that the Irish Postmasters Union candidates would not be contesting the election after all, as reported on the RTE News website (1st February 2016). However, Caroline Foxe is still contesting this constituency as an independent candidate. 

On 20th October 2015, Leonard Kelly (who was an independent local election candidate in the Wexford EA at the 2014 elections) was announced as a Social Democrats candidate for this constituency.

As reported by the Wexford People (24th November 2015), New Ross-native/Castletown-based Ann Walsh will be the Green Party candidate in this constituency.

The WexfordHub website (3rd November 2015) notes that Emmet Moloney will be contesting this constituency as an independent candidate.

The SouthEast Radio website (27th October 2015) had reported that Wexford business-woman, Breda Cahill, might contest this constituency as an independent candidate. She subsequently participated in the Wexford Vincent Browne Show People’s Debate as one of the independent candidates for this constituency, as reported in The Wexford People (17th November 2015). However, she subsequently withdrew from the contest in December 2015 due to health reasons, as reported by the Wexford People (22nd December 2015).

On 30th November 2015, the Mayor of Wexford Town, Cllr. Ger Carthy announced his intention to contest the Wexford constituency as an independent candidate, as reported on the South East Radio website (1st December 2015).

The Wexford People (23rd January 2016) reported that Paul O’Hanlon, who contested the 2014 Local Elections, would be contesting this constituency. However, he withdrew from the contest just ahead of the close of nominations. But a late entrant into the field was John Dwyer, who was formerly a Sinn Fein councillor for the New Ross electoral area, who is contesting this election as an independent, as reported by the South East Radio website (11th February 2016).)

Wicklow (5 seats – 16 candidates): Andrew Doyle FG, Simon Harris FG, Avril Cronin FG, Jennifer Cuffe FF, Pat Casey FF, Anne Ferris LAB, John Brady SF, Anna Doyle PBPA, Sharon Briggs PBPA, Billy Timmins RN, Stephen Donnelly SD, Steven Matthews GP, Joe Behan IND, Charlie Keddy IND, Bob Kearns IND, Katrina Hutchinson DDI-NCM

The Notice of Poll for the Wicklow constituency (via the Wicklow Returning Officer’s website) can be viewed here.

(Cllr. John Brady was selected as the Sinn Fein candidate at the party convention on 16th February 2015.

Cllr Pat Casey has announced his intention to contest the Fianna Fail selection convention in this constituency. The Bray People (19th September 2015) reported that seven candidates would be contesting the Fianna Fail selection convention here. Cllrs. Pat Kennedy, Jennifer Cuffe and Tommy Annesley were expected to be contesting the convention along with Cllr. Casey, along with Moya McGrath Doyle, Pauric Hyland and Raymond Gaffney. The candidates who were nominated to contest the selection convention on 14th October 2015 were Cllrs. Tommy Annesley, Jennifer Cuffe and Pat Casey, as well as Moya McGrath and Pauric Hyland, as noted by the Wicklow News (14th October 2015). Cllr. Jennifer Cuffe and Cllr. Pat Casey were selected at the convention, which took place on 14th October 2015. On 15th January 2016, it was announced that Pauric Hyland would be added as a third Fianna Fail candidate in this constituency. But following opposition to this move from the already selected candidates, he contacted party headquarters on 17th January 2016 to say that he no longer wanted to contest the election.

Billy Timmins TD is a member of the new Renua Ireland party and is a “declared candidate” who is likely to contest this constituency. On 14th June 2015, it was announced that he had been officially selected to contest this constituency for the party. 

Sharon Briggs and Anna Doyle will be contesting this constituency for the People Before Profit Alliance.

Deputies Simon Harris and Andrew Doyle were selected to contest this constituency for Fine Gael at the party selection convention on 18th June 2015. On 25th November 2015, it was reported by TheJournal.ie that Avril Cronin (who is currently the parliamentary assistant of Peter Mathews) would be added as a third candidate in this constituency. The selection of Avril Cronin was to be officially confirmed on Saturday 28th November 2015, as was reported on TheJournal.ie (26th November 2015). Avril Cronin’s candidacy was officially confirmed by Fine Gael on Monday, 30th November 2015. 

Deputy Stephen Donnelly is a founding member of the new Social Democrats party and will be contesting this constituency for that party.

Cllr. Steven Matthews has been selected as the Green Party candidate for this constituency.

Deputy Anne Ferris was selected unopposed as the Labour Party candidate at the party selection convention in Bray on 29th July 2015.

An Irish Times (31st October 2015) report on the Right2Change political alliance identified Cllr. Pat Kavanagh as being an independent candidate in this constituency who has alligned herself with that movement. But she had not announced a decision to contest this election. Sadly, Cllr. Kavanagh passed away on 16th December 2015 – Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.)

A late addition to the candidates list is Katrina Hutchinson who will be contesting this constituency for Direct Democracy Ireland.)

I currently estimate that there are 551 officially selected/declared general election candidates so far, based on the information that I’ve managed to attain.

The number of candidates selected by parties and political groupings (to date) are also outlined here, with web links to the official website candidate pages for these parties/groups where these exist:

• 164 of these are non-party candidates (33 (20.1%) female candidates, 130 (79.9%) male candidates) including 21 Independent Alliance candidates (5 (23.8%) female candidates, 16 (76.2%) male candidates), 5 Independents 4 Change candidates (40.0% female, 60.0% male). 4 The People’s Convention candidates/People’s Candidates (25.0% female, 75.0% male) and 1 Workers and Unemployed Action Group candidate (0.0% female, 100.0% male). At least 19 independent/non-party are running as part of the Right2Change grouping/have signed up to the Right2Change policy platform (21.1% female, 78.9% male). (See Figure 2a below)

• 88 are Fine Gael candidates (27 (30.7%) female candidates, 61 (69.3%) male candidates)  – 40 (out of 40) selection conventions completed. (See Figure 2b below)

• 71 are Fianna Fail candidates (22 (31.0%) female candidates, 49 (69.0%) male candidates)  – 40 (out of 40) selection conventions completed (See Figure 2c below)

• 50 are Sinn Fein candidates (18 (36.0%) female candidates, 32 (64.0%) male candidates) – 40 (out of 40) selection conventions completed (See Figure 2d below)

• 40 are Green Party candidates  (14 (35.0%) female candidates, 27 (65.0%) male candidates) – 40 (out of 40) selection conventions completed
• 36 are Labour Party candidates (13 (36.1%) female candidates, 23 (63.9%) male candidates) – 34 (out of 40) selection conventions completed
• 26 are Renua Ireland candidates (8 (30.8%) female candidates, 18 (69.2%) male candidates) – 26 (out of 40) selection conventions completed
• 19 are Direct Democracy Ireland a National Citizens Movement candidates (3 (15.8%) female candidate, 16 (84.2%) male candidates) – 17 (out of 40) selection conventions completed
• 18 are People Before Profit Alliance candidates (8 (44.4%) female candidates, 10 (55.6%) male candidates) – 17 (out of 40) selection conventions completed
• 14 are Social Democrats candidates (6 (42.9%) female candidates, 8 (57.1%) male candidates) – 14 (out of 40) selection conventions completed
• 13 are Anti-Austerity Alliance candidates (38.5% female, 61.5% male)
• 5 are Workers Party candidates (40.0% female, 60.0% male)
• 3 are Catholic Democrats (The National Party) candidates (66.7% female, 33.3% male)
• 2 are Fis Nua candidates (100.0% female, 0.0% male)
• 1 is a Irish Democratic Party candidate (0.0% female, 100.0% male)
• 1 is a Communist Party of Ireland candidate (0.0% female, 100.0% male)

As announced on 16th September 2015, there has been an agreed merger  (or “merged Dáil party”) of the People Before Profit Alliance and Anti Austerity Alliance groupings ahead of the coming election. Based on selected completed to date across these two groupings, this “Anti Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit” grouping would have already selected 31 candidates between them – in 26 of the 40 constituencies – with 13 female candidates accounting for 41.9% of these candidates and 18 male candidates accounting for 58.1%.

A number of parties/groupings and independent candidates have formed a Right2Change alliance/have signed up to the Right2Change policy platform for this election. As well as the independent candidates referred to above, other parties/groupings that are part of the Right2Change movement include Sinn Fein, the People Before Profit Alliance, Direct Democracy Ireland and the Communist Party of Ireland. In all, I estimate that there are 106 general election candidates, at present, who are aligned with this movement (representing 19.2% of the total number of candidates listed here)  – including 33 female candidates (31.1% female) and 73 male candidates (68.9% male). (See Figure 2e above)

If the four larger parties are excluded (Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein and Labour), it can be seen that 306 candidates would fall under the Independents and Others grouping – including 83 female candidates (27.1% of all Independents and Others candidates) and 223 male candidates (73.0%). In all, this grouping accounts for 55.6% of all General Election 2016 candidates, with the percentage of candidates in this grouping increasing to 60.3% in the Dublin region. (Figure 2f above)

All in all, as the list above shows, a large number of parties/groupings are contesting the February 2016 General Election. But, as Figure 3 shows, only four parties are contesting each one of the 40 Dail constituencies – the Green Party, Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail and Fine Gael (Figure 3).

One hundred and sixty three of the five hundred and fifty two candidates listed here are female (29.5% of the total) and three hundred and eighty nine candidates are male (70.5%). 130 female general election candidates have been selected by political parties (out of a total of 387 political party candidates) – 33.6% of all party candidates (females accounted for 18.8% of political party candidates in 2011). 257 male candidates (66.4% of the total) have been selected by political parties, as of now.

As discussed in greater detail in an earlier post, only 86 female candidates contested the last (2011) general election – 15.2% of the 566 candidates who contested the 2011 General Election. In 2011, 66 out of 351 candidates selected by political parties were female – 18.8% of the total number of political party candidates. At the 2011 election, as discussed in that post, female candidates accounted for 15.4% of Fine Gael candidates, 26.5% of Labour Party candidates, 14.7% of Fianna Fail candidates, 19.5% of Sinn Fein candidates, 25.0% of United Left Alliance candidates, 18.6% of Green Party candidates and 9.1% of independent/non-party candidates.

As the graph above (Figure 4) shows, the (raw) number of female candidates running (as of 10th February 2016) for Sinn Fein, Fianna Fail, the Anti Austerity Alliance-People Before Profit grouping and Fine Gael is notably higher than the number that ran for these parties/groupings at the 2011 General Election. There has also been an increase in the number of female candidates running as independent candidates, which is an interesting trend given that the gender quota does not apply, obviously, in the case of independent candidates. The number of female candidates running for Labour, as of now, is lower than the number that were selected for the party at the 2011 election. But this is mainly down to the significant reduction in Labour Party candidate numbers – 68 candidates ran for Labour in 2011, but – as of now – only 36 Labour candidates have been selected for the upcoming general election. This same trend was also evident, to some extent, in the case of the Green Party numbers up until December 2015, but the party has selected more female candidates (with the number now standing at 10) since the start of that month.

As of now, as Figure 5 below shows, most of the political parties (or most of those running a substantial number of candidates) have reached the gender quota target. The percentage of female independent candidates is lower than that for the political parties.

But – as noted earlier – this percentage is notably higher than the level for female independents at the 2011 election, as shown by Figure 6 below. The percentage of female candidates has also increased significantly across the larger political parties between 2011 and 2016.

156 of all candidates selected/declared so far are based in the Dublin region (35.3% are female), while 143 are based in Leinster (32.2% are female), 146 are based in Munster (23.3% are female) and 106 are based in Connacht-Ulster (26.4% are female). As of 12th February 2016, the constituencies with the highest percentages of female candidates are Kildare South (55.6%), Dublin Central (46.7%), Dun Laoghaire (45.5%), Cork South-West (45.5%), Meath East (41.7%), Waterford (41.7%), Galway East (40.0%) and Dublin Rathdown (40.0%). (See Figure 7b below) The constituencies with the highest numbers of female candidates, at present, are Dublin South-West (8), Dublin Central (7) and Wicklow (6). (Fourteen other constituencies have five female candidates contesting these.) (See Figure 7a below)

There are officially selected/declared female candidate in every constituency in the state, with the exception of the Limerick County constituency. (In 2011 (as noted in an earlier post) there were no female candidates in the Cork South-West, Kildare South, Limerick County and Roscommon-South Leitrim constituencies, while there were no female candidates from the (then) five largest parties contesting Clare, Donegal North-East, Dublin North, Kerry North-West Limerick or Wexford.)

145 of the selected/declared candidates are incumbent Dail deputies (26.3% of the total), while 21 are Senators (3.8% of the total). This means that 166 Oireachtas members account for 30.1% of all the selected/declared candidates. 153 of the selected/declared candidates listed here are City or County Councillors, with this group accounting for 27.7% of the total number of selected/declared candidates. So 319 currently selected/declared candidates (57.8% of the candidates) currently hold elected office, either at the national or local level. Females currently account for 17.2% of TD/Dail deputy general election candidates (25), 47.6% of Senator general election candidates (10) and 32.7% of City/County Councillor general election candidates (50).

The constituency with the largest number of candidates at the 2016 General Election will be Dublin South-West (21), followed by Galway West (20), Dublin Bay North (20), Longford-Westmeath (18), Sligo-Leitrim (18) and Wexford, as shown by Figure 8a (below).

The constituency with the smallest number of candidates at the 2016 General Election will be Laois (6), followed by Galway East (9), Kildare-South (9), Meath-West (9), Dublin Rathdown (10) and Limerick County (10), as shown by Figure 8b (below)

At this point, I estimate that at least 54 contested selection conventions (excluding conventions where candidates withdrew before a vote was taken) across the different political parties. In all, 161 candidates contested these contested selection conventions, with 48 (29.8%) females and 113 (70.2%) males contesting these 52 conventions. There were 27 contested Fianna Fail conventions – Cavan, Clare, Cork East, Cork-South-West, Donegal, Dublin Bay North, Dublin Mid-West, Dublin Rathdown, Dublin South-West, Dublin West, Dun Laoghaire, Galway East, Galway West, Kerry County, Kildare North, Kildare South, Offaly, Limerick County, Louth, Mayo, Meath West, Roscommon-Galway, Sligo-Leitrim, Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Wicklow. There were 9 contested Sinn Fein selection conventions – Cork North-Central (to select a second candidate), Cork South Central, Cork North West, Dublin North-West, Kildare North, Kildare South, Sligo-Leitrim, Tipperary and Wexford. There were 17 contested Fine Gael selection conventions – Carlow-Kilkenny, Clare, Cork North-Central, Dublin Bay North, Dublin Bay South, Dublin South-Central, Dublin South-West, Dublin Rathdown, Dun Laoghaire, Galway East, Kerry County, Kildare South, Limerick County, Longford-Westmeath, Offaly, Sligo-Leitrim and Wexford. There was 1 contested Labour Party selection convention – Dun Laoghaire.

Looking at the four larger parties – Fine Gael, Fianna Fail, Sinn Fein and Labour – it can be seen that 211 candidates were selected at constituency selection conventions, including 62 females (29.4%) and 149 males (70.6%). Most of these conventions were not contested, however, as suggested by the list above. 75 candidates were successful at the contested selection conventions, including 55 (73.3%) males and 20 (26.7%) females. (So 48.7% of the male candidates who contested these conventions were successful, as against 41.7% of the female candidates.)  5 of the successful female candidates were, however, effectively selected automatically due to constituency gender directives. Other candidates were effectively automatically selected at contested conventions for other reasons, namely the manner in which constituencies were divided, or districted, for the candidate selection process, including one female candidate (Lisa Chambers in Mayo, although a contender in her “district” withdrew before the vote took place) and two male candidates (Ciaran Cannon in Galway East and Malcolm Byrne in Wexford).  If the candidates who were automatically selected due to gender (or other) directives are not included, this effectively means that 66 candidates were selected following a contested convention vote – 52 (78.8%) males and 14 (21.2%) females.

At least 86 candidates have been unsuccessful across all of these contested selection conventions – 28 females (32.6%) and 58 males (67.4%). 12 of the candidates (14.3%) who lost out at convention were subsequently added to the party candidate list after the convention, including 4 females (14.8% of the unsuccessful female convention candidates) and 8 males (14.0% of the unsuccessful female convention candidates). Two of the unsuccessful convention candidates were sitting Fine Gael TDs – including Richard Bruton in Dublin Bay North – and he was quickly added to the party’s list of candidates, in any course – and John Perry in Sligo-Leitrim, who was also subsequently added to the party ticket some months later. County and City Councillors have accounted for a significant proportion of the people who have lost at party conventions, by contrast. 57 of the 84 unsuccessful convention candidates are City or County Councillors – 66.3% of the total. 6 former TDs (7.2% of the total) are also included among the list of unsuccessful convention candidates.

Thanks to the following people for following on information in relation to candidate selections/declarations and party selection conventions: Alan Kinsella, Claire McGing, David Flynn, Colin O’Connor, Fiona Buckley, Joe Barrett, Roderic O’Gorman, Sean Glennon, Ciaran Ferrie, Owen O’Shea, Peter Ormond, Shane Raymond, Clive Bourke, Ronan Murphy, Joan Collins, Barry Roche, Marianne Butler, Suzanne Collins, Kathryn Marsh, Wally O’Neill, Jerry O’Sullivan, Arthur Griffin, Mick Barry, Shane Raymond, Maurice Fitzgerald, Patrick Conboy, David Linnane, Gavan Reilly, Peter Kavanagh, Jan Bosch, Gerard Hannon, Ray Payne, Gillian Kavanagh, Martin O’Reilly, Sheila Reilly, Ciarán Ó Raghallaigh, Keith Mills, Laura McGonigle, Cormac Fitzgerald, Catherine Noone, Robert Quaile, Daithi O Se, Ciaran Bolger, Sean Norris, Luke Martin, Colm McCarthy, Ian McGahon, Ken Curtin, Seán Mac Brádaigh, Mark Coughlan, Sarah O’Connor, Ali Murphy, Declan Walsh, Stephen Kearon, Brendan Heneghan, Allan Shine, James Doorley, Emma Murphy, Paraic McMahon, Conor Reilly, Adam Hurley, Roslyn Fuller, Dun Laoghaire Labour, Clive Bourke, Éilis Ryan, Noel Rock, Daithi O Laoghaire, Oliver Moran, Keith Redmond, Keith Bermingham, John Sheridan, Philip Slattery, Alan Bracken, Seadhna Logan, Sorcha Ní Chéilleachair, Luke Callinan, Cathal Foley, Niall Kavanagh, Padraig O’Sullivan, Ger, Jonathan Graham, Jonathan Victory, Alan Hynes, Smart Vote, Declan Burke, Óige Ghlas, Kieran Coleman, Offaly Fianna Fail, William Winters, Réada Cronin, Smart Vote, John McGahon, Neil Ward, Sean O Buachalla, Mícheál Hughes, Leo Kavanagh, Michael O’Sullivan, Corey Whyte, P. Farrell, John C. Byrne, Joe O’Brien, JJ Hurley, Joe Lynch, Cian MacAonghusa, Fergal Kearns, Joseph Delaney, Catherine Martin, Meath East Labour, Kevin Higgins, Mark Power, Óisín Ó hAlmháin, Vote Left Ireland, Dublin Central Fine Gael, KFM Radio, Padraig MacConsaidin, Philip Slattery, Maurice Quinlivan, Frances Byrne, Sean Lynch, Sean Heffernan, Jim O’Connell, Derek Mooney, Jason Doyle, Billie Sparks, Irish Political Quotes, Peter Horgan.