EU Elections Constituency Profile - Dublin: Race to the right as migration dominates
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A race for the right may be how the Dublin European elections go down, with seven candidates on the ballot paper who could be placed into this category.
With tented encampments springing up initially outside the International Protection offices on Mount St and now along the Grand Canal, migration is an issue all candidates will have to grapple with regardless of what way they lean.
But those who range from the populist right to the far-right will be looking to attract voters through a more hardline stance on asylum seeker policy.
The question is, will any be able to break through, or will they simply cancel each other out?
There are four seats up for grabs in the constituency which covers city and county.
However, voters going to polling stations will be confronted with an unwieldy ballot paper with 23 runners hoping to make it across the line on June 7.
Competitive and unpredictable is how the voting pattern of Dubliners could be characterised, as down the decades high-profile incumbents have been evicted from their seats, while more quirky or niche candidates have been elected.
Unlike the other two constituencies which will force hopefuls to clock up tens of thousands of kilometres on the campaign trail, the Dublin constituency’s geography is condensed.
It means candidates can take advantage of Dart and Luas stations to meet large numbers of constituents and with new traffic restrictions promised for the city, public transport is an issue that is to the fore.
Similar to 2019, the long-promised Metro North project, while not exactly a European issue, will be one of the items raised on the doorsteps.
Housing, is also a concern of many Dublin residents whether renting of in their own homes.
Three of the four incumbents are hoping to retain their seats, leaving one seat wide open, but sitting MEPs cannot afford to sit on their laurels as the Dublin constituency has a long history of turfing people out in favour of new candidates.
Barry Andrews managed to claw back a seat in the capital constituency for Fianna Fáil in 2019.
The former minister, who also worked as head of Goal, claimed what was dubbed the 'Brexit seat' the last time around, which meant he had to wait until after Britain formally exited the EU at the end of 2020 to take his post.
He has been strong in Europe and will be hoping to retaining his seat in Brussels.
Green Party candidate Ciarán Cuffe sailed in on a green wave that was the story of the 2019 local and European elections.
While he has been another strong performer in Europe, he will face significant competition to hold onto his seat for another term.
Clare Daly has maintained a high profile during her time as an MEP, taking a strident stance on both Russia's invasion of Ukraine and more recently highlighting the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.
Unlike others on the ballot, the Independents 4 Change candidate won't have her face plastered across the city as she is not using posters during this campaign due to the impact of micro-plastics on the environment.
The decision of Fine Gael's Frances Fitzgerald not to run again came as a blow to her party.
The former Justice Minister had carved out a strong reputation amongst EU colleagues campaigning for changes around domestic gender-based violence.
Another surprise for Fine Gael came in the selection of Regina Doherty at the party selection convention. Ms Doherty defeated junior minister Josepha Madigan, who had been favoured by the party hierarchy, as well as fellow senator Barry Ward.
Among those campaigning on a right-wing agenda is outspoken radio talk show host Niall Boylan, who is running under the Independent Ireland banner.
He has claimed that for many years Ireland has badly managed immigration law, stating on his website that policy in this area has been "nothing short of reckless".
The colourful character has also revealed that after his marriage ended, he became homeless for two years, often sleeping in his car outside the radio station where he worked.
Others, who will perhaps be vying to steal votes from the same pot, include Patrick Quinlan of the National Party; Philip Dwyer, an Ireland First candidate, and Diarmaid Ó Conaráin, of Irish Freedom Party.
There are also a myriad of Independent candidates some of whom are more visible than others both online and on the ground.
Another Boylan on the ballot paper is the Sinn Féin representative, Lynn Boylan, who will be hoping to regain the seat she lost in 2019.
Ms Boylan, whose partner is sitting Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin, was first elected to Brussels in 2014.
As a member of the Seanad, she has been to the fore in raising climate and environmental issues.
But Sinn Féin is taking a chance by running two candidates in what is a crowded Dublin field, also choosing to put long-serving councillor Daithí Doolan on the ticket.
People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith will also be taking votes from the left.
The TD, who announced last July that she would be standing down from the Dáil at the next election, is now focusing her attention on Brussels.
The Dublin South TD has criticised the lack of humanity when discussing migration issues, and is well known for her campaigning on women's rights and equality issues.
Labour has been strong in the Dublin constituency down the years, holding two seats between 1979 and 1983. In later years, Proinsias De Rossa won multiple European elections for the party.
Sitting TD Aodhán Ó Ríordán will therefore be hoping to capitalise on this traditional support base.
His retro poster design bearing the slogan 'For the love of Dublin', stands out among the others on telephone poles and signposts across the city.
Other ones to watch include well-known trade unionist Brendan Ogle, who came to prominence when he led a rail strike by the Irish Locomotive Drivers Association which resulted in major travel disruption over the course of three months.
Sinéad Gibney of the Social Democrats also cannot be ruled out.
It would be expected that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil will each hold onto a seat, however, there are some jitters that the electorate may only have an appetite to return one MEP from the two main political parties.
If this materialises, it would be a big upset and could even destabilise relations within the coalition.
A recent poll had Barry Andrews in a comfortable position on 18%, trailed by Lynn Boylan on 15% meaning both Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin can expect to take a seat.
However, the final two seats could end up being a dogfight between Regina Doherty, Ciarán Cuffe, Aodhán Ó Riordán, Niall Boylan, Clare Daly, Sinéad Gibney, and possibly Bríd Smith.
Transfers and the sequence of eliminations could be crucial.
In Dublin 23 candidates, including three sitting MEPs, are contesting the European election.
1.. The sitting MEP comes from a strong political dynasty, his father David and uncle Niall both serviced as TDs, while his cousin, Chris Andrews has been a Sinn Féin TD since 2020.
His brother, David McSavage is a comedian, and he is a first cousin of former RTÉ television and radio presenter Ryan Tubridy.
2.. An outspoken politician, Daly has made numerous contributions in the European Parliament both on the war in Ukraine and the Israeli bombardment in Gaza. The former TD is hoping to retain her seat in the European Parliament.
3.. The sitting MEP is a first cousin of Robert F Kennedy Jr, of the famous Boston politician dynasty, who is running in the US presidential elections later this year.
Cuffe, who serviced as Minister of State from 2010 to 2011, is also the great-grandson of Philip Francis Little, who was the first prime Mminister of Newfoundland in 1854.
4. . The Sinn Féin spokesperson on climate justice previously served as an MEP between 2014 to 2019.
She lives in Clondalkin with her partner and fellow Sinn Féin politician Eoin Ó Broin.
In the Seanad, she has brought forward legislation to ban the dumping of any usable products, with fines for companies that do so.
5. . The long-serving Dublin city councillor grew up in Bishopstown, Co Cork.
He contested two general elections for Sinn Féin in Dublin South-East in 2002 and 2007.
6. . The Fine Gael senator pulled off a coup within her own party when she managed to win the EU nomination, despite competition from former culture minister Josepha Madigan, as well as Senator Barry Ward at the selection convention.
Having lost her Meath East Dáil seat in the last election, she announced in September 2020, that she would seek Fine Gael’s nomination to contest the next general election in the Dublin Fingal constituency.
7. . The long-serving politician and activist has her eye on Europe after announcing her retirement from Leinster House earlier this year.
Known for her campaigning on issues including women’s rights, abortion and Palestine, she is often seen with her beloved dog Barney, who accompanies her into Leinster House in her van.
8. . The former teacher and sitting TD said he decided to run for the European Elections after he had a “visceral” reaction to last year’s Dublin riots, which resulted in a “lightbulb” moment for him.
The father-of-two has also said that “we cannot afford to have another government mouthpiece or Kremlin acolyte,” in Europe.
9. . The Social Democrats candidate caused a stir in political circles earlier this year when she unexpectedly stepped down as chief commissioner of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission to seek the party nomination to run for Europe.
10. . Considine is standing to win a seat on Dublin city council as well in Brussels under the Aontú banner.
She is a primary school teacher and mother-of-one and states that she is a passionate Gaeilgeoir.
11. . Boylan, known for hosting a nighttime talk show on Classic Hits FM alongside his own Niall Boylan Podcast, is standing for the Independent Ireland party, which is led by Cork South West TD Michael Collins.
He recently revealed he was homeless for two years and slept in his car outside the radio station where he worked “many nights”.
12. . Barrett is a mother, homeschooler, and the wife of Justin Barrett, who is also running for the National Party in Midlands Northwest.
She was unsuccessful in the 2020 general election and gained headlines the same year when Twitter, now known as X, removed a tweet she posted targeting the ethnicity of former Dublin Lord Mayor Hazel Chu, claiming it violated the rules of the social media platform 13. Patrick Quinlan, National Party.
13. . Mr Quinn is the deputy leader of the National Party and its Dublin West representative in the local elections.
14. . The self-styled citizen journalist has been a prominent personality at anti-immigration demonstrations across the country, live-streaming many of the protests.
A former postman, he has been described in the Dáil as “a crèche creeper and dog kicker,” in reference to two separate incidents relating to him.
15. . Campaigning on the issue of migration, Ó’Conaráin also says that if elected he would fight for the abolition of carbon taxes, which “affects everyone from motorists to small businesses and the end consumer”.
He is is the author of ‘Why You’re Wrong: Equality, Diversity and Much More’.
16. . Heasman was involved in protests outside libraries last year over the stocking of sex education books.
He confirmed to followers on X earlier this month that he had appeared in court in relation to four charges, taking issue with how this played out.
17. . The chairperson of the Irish Muslim Council is running “to stand up against hatred, division and injustice”.
Earlier this year, Gardaí launched an investigation, after the Muslim cleric said that he was the victim of a hate crime which he believed was pre-planned.
18. . As a scientist, the Independent candidate says he is “dedicated to bringing practical, evidence-based solutions to the European Parliament.” Immigration is also a core issue in his campaign and he has said that Europe must tackle falling birth rates “through incentives for families, rather than relying solely on immigration to solve demographic challenges”.
19. . The Independent candidate recently claimed he was subject to an attack, during which an individual threatened to kill him after turning up at his office. A man was arrested following the incident.
20. Cafolla is a software engineer and climate activist. He is a strong believer in non-hierarchical organising and the egalitarian principle.
21. . The well-known trade-unionist was recently in the news due to a discrimination case he has taken against his employer, Unite the Union, at the Workplace Relations Commission.
He has also been involved in political campaigns most prominently in the resistance to water charges in 2014 and the ‘Home Sweet Home’ campaign at Christmas 2016 when activists occupied Apollo House in Dublin and created accommodation for rough sleepers in the building.
He first came to prominence in 2000 when he led a rail strike by the Irish Locomotive Drivers Association which led to major travel disruption over the course of three months.
22.. The Independent candidate is a medical student, who also describes himself as having more than 30 years experience in the international blue chip sector.
23. . Murphy, who had an unsuccessful bid in the 2019 EU elections, describes himself as a “pro-life, pro-woman” candidate.