Seery-Kearney selected for Fine Gael in Dublin South-Central

Fine Gael has selected Senator Mary Seery-Kearney as their general election candidate in Dublin South-Central.

Dublin South-Central notably elected left-wing candidates in the 2020 general election, with Fine Gael’s Catherine Byrne losing her seat in the constituency in 2020.

2020’s general election saw Sinn Féin’s Aengus Ó Snodaigh elected with nearly 40% of first preferences, with People Before Profit’s Bríd Smith, Right2Change’s Joan Collins and Patrick Costello of the Greens locking Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael out of a seat in the constituency.

Seeery-Kearney was first elected to South Dublin County Council in 2019, before being made a Senator in 2020.

Seery-Kearney said, “I am extremely honoured and privileged to be a candidate in the forthcoming general election for Fine Gael in Dublin South Central.”

“I have always been a voice for others throughout my career as a barrister, counselling psychologist, and Senator. I hope to continue this work as a TD.”

She said she wants to make Dublin South-Central “and beyond” a “great place for children.”

“I want to ensure we have a safe and secure community for our families and for our children to grow up in.”

With the constituency favouring candidates who are different from the established Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael embracing of the free market, Seery-Kearney says she wants to take a more paternalistic approach should she be elected as a TD.

“I am passionate about ending child poverty. We need zero tolerance of child and family poverty by expanding our hot school meals program, increasing the back-to-school allowance, and increasing the targeted family income support to raise the most vulnerable children out of poverty,” she said.

“Access to healthcare is a major priority for so many in Dublin South Central. I will be a voice for children, the elderly, and new mothers who are waiting for access to services.

“The provision of infrastructure and services to children and young people across our constituency is hugely important. We need investment in our parks, community centres and sports facilities, and facilities to support local enterprise.”

She said her experience in the Seanad would stand to her in the Dáil.

“I believe the people of Dublin South Central deserve better representation. I believe they deserve to have their voices heard where it matters – at the heart of government. I look forward to the campaign ahead,” she said.

It was already known that Patrick Costello of the Greens, Labour’s Darragh Moriarty and People Before Profit’s Hazel De Nortúin would be the general election candidates in the constituency, and in the last week, we have found out the identity of Sinn Féin, the Social Democrats and Aontú’s candidates.

Sinn Féin will be looking to win two seats in the constituency with 2020’s poll-topper Aengus Ó Snodaigh running alongside councillor Maire Devine.

Councillor Jen Cummins has been chosen to run for the Social Democrats in a constituency they are looking to win for the first time.

Aontú’s European candidate Aisling Considine will also line out for the party in Dublin South Central.

Considine wasn’t successful in winning a local or European seat but will be running in Dublin South Central in a bid for a Dáil seat.