Human rights advocate Sinéad Gibney has been selected as the Social Democrats’ Dublin candidate for Europe. Gibney’s CV includes the role of chief commissioner with the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission as well as positions with Google and Trinity College.
Speaking after the selection convention, Gibney said “all of us who live and work here know that Dublin needs to change. That is why I am running for election to the European Parliament. I believe I am the person – and that the Social Democrats are the party – to make that change happen.”
According to poll aggregator Europe Elects, the Social Democrats are on track to win their first European seat.
It was announced last week that prominent lecturer and housing researcher Rory Hearne will be the candidate for the party in the Midlands-North-West constituency.
Should the party be successful in getting a candidate elected to Europe, they would most likely sit in the Socialists and Democrats grouping, the same grouping as Labour when they held seats in Europe and the main grouping for centre-left parties across Europe.
In recent months, there have been rumours that Sinn Féin are looking to leave their current grouping of GUE/NGL, comprised of former communist parties and far-left parties, and moving towards the S&D grouping.
The grouping is likely to become the 2nd largest grouping in the European parliament following June’s elections, with Fine Gael’s European People’s Party tipped to top the polls across Europe. Gibney said “I love Dublin and I’m passionate about making it an equal city, where decent housing, decent work and a decent society are within the reach of everyone – not just the very few.” “As a committed human rights activist – and as a lone parent – I am conscious that we now need a new approach, where the State is there for its people; where politics is honest; and where policies really deliver for our capital’s citizens.” “Throughout my career, my enduring focus has been on equality and championing the rights of those who need support most. If elected as an MEP, I will work tirelessly on behalf of all Dubliners to deliver change – change you can trust.”
Party leader Holly Cairns said “I am delighted to have a candidate of Sinéad’s calibre running for the Social Democrats in Dublin. She would be an incredible representative and a great asset to the city in the European Parliament.” “Now more than ever, it is essential for Ireland to elect candidates like Sinéad in Europe. She is somebody who will stand up for peace, for disability rights, for workers’ rights and for making Dublin a place where people can afford to call home.”“The halls of the European Parliament can often seem very far away to people in Ireland. However, the decisions made there directly impact our daily lives in many areas, from housing and public transport to maternity leave and climate action.”
Cairns said that decisions in Europe affect the people of Gaza, Ukraine and migrants in the Mediterranean Sea.
“Sinéad has a strong track record of fighting for the most vulnerable people in our society. I have no doubt that she will continue that fight in Europe.”