Candidates´Priorities on Health, Housing, and the Cost of Living
Who are the General Election Candidates for Limerick City?
As the 2024 general election approaches, Limerick City is set to witness an array of candidates looking for the opportunity to represent its people. By examining their statements on key issues such as health, housing, and the cost of living, we will gain insight into their approaches to the challenges facing the city.
Whether it’s addressing overcrowding issues at University Hospital Limerick, the housing crisis, or the continued financial strain on households, each candidate’s platform reflects their commitment to tackling these critical issues, offering Limerick voters a clearer picture of who they are and what they stand for:
Esther Aherne
Esther Aherne is a candidate from Independant Ireland. She is a health and safety consultant, focusing on Housing, healthcare and education. Her priorities focus on the lack of services available for the elderly in Limerick and she is pushing for better mental health and disability services.
Sarah Beasley
Sarah Beasley is a member of Aontu and a sitting Councillor for Limerick City North. Her election priorities focus on issues such as the housing crisis, public health, and community safety. Beasley has been active in homelessness outreach, organizing provisions for rough sleepers in Limerick City. She is also dedicated to combating crime and anti-social behaviour by proposing increased Garda presence and youth diversion programs.
Maria Byrne
Maria Byrne is the current Fine Gael Seanad Spokesperson on Finance. Prior to this, she served as a councillor for Limerick City and was part of the body governing in TUS and UL. Byrne is actively involved in many sports clubs and voluntary work. Her priorities include city centre development, tourism and education.
Melanie Cleary
Melanie Cleary is an independent candidate running for election. Melanie is one of the founding members of the Midwest Hospital Campaign. If elected, Cleary wants to ensure the reopening of the emergency departments in Ennis, Nenagh and St. John’s hospitals which closed in 2009. She has been campaigning for patient safety and improved health services in the mid-west, since the tragic death of her 21-year-old daughter Eve who died hours after she was discharged from University Hospital Limerick in 2019.
Frankie Daly
Frankie Daly is local Councillor on the North side of Limerick city and running as independent candidate in the general election. Daly was first elected as a Labour councillor in 2014. He left the party afterwards and has worked as an independent candidate ever since. Having grown up in Ballynanty and Caherdavin, he wants to prioritise unemployment, drug issues and healthcare.
Ruairí Fahy
Ruairi Fahy is a member of People Before Profit, who actively advocates for housing and environmental issues. He takes a strong stand against illegal evictions, pollution and higher living standards. He also wants to tackle living costs exceeding people’s incomes and unaffordable and inaccessible childcare.
Paul Gavan
Representing Sinn Fein, Paul Gavan has been a senator for the last eight years. Gavan has recently been openly advocating for Palestine, condemning Shannon Airport for allowing US military planes to . He is also a spokesperson for Education and Workers rights.
Brian Leddin
Brian Leddin is a TD for Limerick City and the Green Party Spokesperson for Transport, Climate Action and Environment. His priorities include active response to climate change, developing Limerick City infrastructure, with a particular focus on the improvements of Irish Rail lines and the development of apartment complexes and high-density housing.
Willie O’Dea
Willie O’Dea, is a Fianna Fail TD for Limerick city. He is a qualified barrister and has a qualification as an accountant. O’Dea was first elected in 1982. He has served as a Minister For Justice and Health, Education and Science, and Defence. He focuses on the industrialisation of Shannon Airport and tackling crime within the city.
Kieran O’Donnell
Kieran O’Donnell is a Fine Gael TD for Limerick City, and Minister of State at the Office of Public Works. He is an elected TD for Limerick City. He is a chartered accountant, with a business degree from UL. His main priorities are job creation and promotion of Limerick City, Shannon Airport and the region.
Elisa O’Donovan
Elisa O’Donovan is a member of the Social Democrats and is a Councilor for Limerick City West. Alongside working as a Speech and language therapist, O’Donovan is aiming to be elected for the third time. She focuses on the health and lifestyle of the Limerick people, creating the campaign #swimmablelimerick, promoting open water swimming in the Shannon River. She also actively advocates for women’s rights, aiming to become the first Limerick woman to be recognized on a national level.
Maurice Quinlivan
Maurice Quinlivan is Sinn Fein TD for Limerick city. He was first elected in 2009, holding that seat ever since. He holds a strong position in relation to the advocacy of Workers rights and he campaigned for the introduction of the Living Wage. He also shows interest in healthcare issues and the housing crisis. He is a member of the Limerick Drug and Alcohol Taskforce.
Dean Quinn
Dean Quinn, a member of the National Alliance, who focuses on tackling the housing crisis, where he wants to prioritise Irish families. He also aims to reduce immigration and remove the “local needs” requirements, therefore building houses in dense spaces. He names himself “a proud Irish nationalist with a deep commitment to his country’s heritage and future”.
Dee Ryan
Dee Ryan, a Fianna Fail candidate, is a member of the government’s Shannon Estuary Economic Taskforce. Ryan’s prior experience has given her in dept insights into Limericks economy and housing crisis, while also focusing on the investment and employment opportunities in Limerick City.
Conor Sheehan
Conor Sheehan is a member of the Labour party, and a Councillor for Limerick City North, holding strong views on the Midwest healthcare regime, advocating for the opening of the emergency department in Limerick. He is committed to addressing key challenges, including enhancing the quality of life in the city center, reducing traffic congestion through better public transport, increasing the availability of affordable, high-quality housing, and revitalizing Shannon Airport.
Michelle Hayes
Michelle Hayes is running as an independent candidate. A practising Solicitor, she is also Co Founder and President of Environmental Trust Ireland. Her main priorities include a new Model 4 public hospital for Limerick. She also proceeded to the Supreme Court against the Irish Cement Incinerator.
Hayes is seeking to abolish the Universal Social Charge (USC) and reduce inheritance tax. She also wants to cut the VAT for businesses.
Dean Lillis
Dean Lillis is an independent candidate. He is the former president of the Postgraduate Students’ Union of UL. He is committed to creating healthier communities, enhancing public safety, and fostering an economy that supports affordable living.
📢 Don’t Miss Out!
We also have an article covering the General Election Candidates for Limerick County.
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