Cork South Central

1) Why are you running? 2) If elected, what are you hoping to achieve? 3) Dead or alive, who is your political hero?

Simon Coveney TD, Fine Gael
1. Because I’m passionate about the power of politics to change and improve people’s lives.

2. I have the privilege of being Tánaiste and a TD for Cork South Central. My work nationally for the last two-years has focused on protecting Ireland through the Brexit negotiations and restoring power sharing to Northern Ireland. I have also been involved in ensuring Cork continues to thrive with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country and massive development. Cork is going to see the biggest growth rate of anywhere in Ireland over the next 20 years, and if elected, this will be my focus.

3. John Hume - his approach to politics has been proven to be the right way for people in Northern Ireland to live and work together in peace. He gave people hope, that’s not an easy thing to do. He is the definition of a leader.

Anna Daly, Aontú
1. I believe we are at an important crossroads in this country; things are desperately bad in housing, health, crime and anti-social behaviour is becoming more and more vicious and successive Governments have gotten away with breaking promises and taking the electorate for granted. The political system is broken and it's time to change that. Let us think outside the political cartel; we don’t just have to vote FF and FG, it’s time to vote for people of integrity, vision and courage. Having worked in the community sector for over 12 years, I am acutely aware of the how the citizens of this country have been continuously let down.

2. First off I pledge to sit in my own seat and cast votes only on my own behalf, I will also bring my experience of being part of a co-founding and management team that has been running a community project on a shoestring budget for over a decade, debt free. I know that change is possible and I have the strength and will to represent my constituents with integrity and honesty.

3. Constance Markievicz, a woman of prodigious courage.

Bobby Murray Walsh, PBP
1. I'm running because it seems clear that the policies of FG and FF have failed the working and middle classes and a drastic change in policy is urgently needed. No other party has been willing to take the measures needed to address the housing and climate crises, so once the opportunity came up to represent the working class alongside PBP, I felt obliged to run.

2. My most urgent concern is immediately addressing the coming climate emergency and doing so as quickly as possible. We need to immediately stop the exploitation of new fossil fuel resources and begin the transition to clean and sustainable power. The health and happiness of the coming generations is hinged almost solely on our ability to quickly and effectively end our dependence on fossil fuels. Alongside this, we need decisive action on the growing housing bubble in Cork city.

3. Martin Luther King Jr. is easily my personal political hero. MLK's advocacy for racial equality and a just social order is unmatched, and I can't think of anyone that could be a better role model to any modern activist.

Ciara Kennedy, Labour
1. I feel, as a country, we have a choice to make whether we stick with the politics of the past or we vote for change. I feel there is an appetite for change so I have put myself forward as the Labour candidate in Cork South Central as a progressive voice that will speak on issues we encounter on a daily basis. Like many of my generation, I am acutely aware of the need for social and affordable housing, a health service that works, accessible childcare facilities, and the importance of caring for our elderly.

2. My hope, if elected, and the intention of the Labour party, is to stop the waste of public money and to build homes and fix health.

3. My political hero, without a doubt, is Mary Robinson. When she was elected as the first female President of Ireland it proved that I could grow up to be anything I wanted to be.

Micheal Martin TD, Fianna Fáil
1. I'm running because I love my community, my city, my country and I want to continue to make a positive difference. The last decade of Fine Gael government has left too many in our society behind - the dream of home ownership has disappeared for a whole generation of our people, our health system is in crisis and the cost of living, especially in the area of childcare, is just too much for too many people. We need a change of government. I want to continue to secure investment for the Cork region.

2. I am hoping to lead a new government that will make a real and positive difference to people's lives. I would like to restore people's confidence in what government can do by alleviating the pressures on our health service for patients and for staff, and I want to deal with the current housing crisis, ensuring that affordable houses are built, social houses are built and measures to help young people to own their own home are implemented.

3. My political hero in Ireland is Jack Lynch. Jack showed that it is possible to make a positive and lasting difference without ever forgetting where you come from. I am also a huge admirer of Sean Lemass.
 

Cllr Paudie Dineen, Independent 
1. I have being representing the Cork City South Central Ward in Cork City Council for the past six years and I was successfully re-elected in May 2019. I strive for results and I leave no stone unturned to get those results for my constituents. Ireland is 100 years old this year and in all that time we have had successive FF/FG led governments, at times supported by Labour/Greens, and we are no better off. This needs to change and now is the time for us to realise that change.

2. There are many issues: (1) housing (2) homelessness (3) health (4) lawlessness (5) insurance (6) mental health. I firmly believe that with the right people elected, that much more can be done to address these issues quickly and efficiently. I don't have a magic wand but I will support any party that can deliver a rapid response not just to alleviate the issues but to eradicate them once and for all.

3. Nelson Mandela - for a person who was persecuted, jailed, beaten and starved in the name of democracy to become the President of South Africa, was a tremendous feat.

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire TD, Sinn Féin
1. Four years ago we broke the stranglehold FG and FF have had on CSC. Since then, it has been an honour to stand up for, and work for the people of CSC. To fight for them, to represent their concerns, and to put forward solutions, that can be implemented. I want to continue that work if I am relected, so that we can deliver on housing, deliver on healthcare in the community and deliver additional gardaí, as well as transformation of childcare.

2. In the last Dáil term, I worked with the Minister for Justice to deliver a framework for sentencing guidelines. I now want to see this implemented. I have also been very vocal in calling for increased public transport provision in Cork, and I want to work with the NTA and Bus Eireann to take the pressure off our traffic system, and reduce emissions. I also want to ensure that children with additional educational needs in Cork have enough spaces in units, and have access to therapies and that we can finally deliver affordable housing for Cork.

3. Michael Davitt was an extraordinary man, born in to poverty and child labour, who fought for justice, to fight hunger, for housing and land rights, and for freedom.

 

Senator Jerry Buttimer, Fine Gael 
1. As a community leader, teacher, city councillor, TD and currently Leader of Seanad Éireann, I’ve been one of the most vocal advocates for a progressive Cork. I’m acutely aware of the needs impacting on the people of Cork and what the city, towns and communities of our area need to progress and develop. My determination is focused on making people’s lives better, particularly hard-pressed working families through better and more responsive Government. 
Employment, a sustainable economy and an action plan for climate change and management are key to making Cork and Ireland a success.

2. Enhancing health services for older people, people with disabilities, people with mental health issues and the construction of a new elective hospital for Cork. Increased provision of social and affordable housing throughout Cork. Ensuring that we develop sustainable communities with a responsible approach to climate action that remains central to all future government plans, delivering the Cork Metropolitan Area Transport Strategy, providing resourced community policing and increasing the number of gardai in Cork.

3. Dr Garrett Fitzgerald 

Cllr Lorna Bogue, Green Party
1. I’m running because as a sitting councillor I see that local government in Ireland is heavily underfunded. There are many things that the council does everyday on a shoestring budget but in order for Cork to develop economically we need to have less centralised governance and we need to put power, funding and planning decisions back in the hands of local community.

2. If elected I would hope to be a strong advocate for Cork getting the level of investment required to be the economic driver of the southern region that can act as a counterbalance to Dublin. I also would like to put a stop to the planned incinerator in Cork Harbour as well as getting an independent review of the OPW wall scheme planned for Cork. I am hoping to be a voice for local government and advocate for the funding that local government needs to provide housing, waste management and alternative transport infrastructure. I am strongly against institutionalism and I would fight for direct provision to be ended as well as other forms of institutionalism such as how homeless people are being put in hubs and hotels. 

3. My political heroes are all the people who campaigned for marriage equality and repeal. 

* No response was received from Patricia O’Dwyer, Social Democrats.