Fine Gael's female general election candidates
Fine Gael is running 15 women candidates out of a total of 91 candidates in the general election.
Madeline Taylor-Quinn FG (Clare)
A former TD and Senator. First elected to the Dáil in 1991. Lost her seat in 1992. Ex-teacher. Didn't succeed in recovering her seat in 1997 and 2002. Remembered mainly for her shrill attack on James McDaid on his nomination as minister for defence in 1991 because he had been photographed with an IRA man (a constituent) fighting extradition. Issues: clean water and retention of Ennis General Hospital.
Deidre Clune FG (Cork South Central)
An environmental engineer and a member of Cork City Council since 1999. Lord Mayor in 2005/2006, TD from 1997-2002. Seeking to retake the seat formerly held by her father, Peter Barry. Says she will spend only €8,000 of her own money in the campaign but local estimates are she is spending close to €100,000. No views of her own. Issues: healthcare in Cork, class sizes, more public transport for Cork.
Frances Fitzgerald FG (Dublin Mid West)
A former social worker and chairperson of the Council of Status for Women. Was elected for Dublin South East in the 1992. Lost her seat in 2002. Articulate, feisty, irremediably middle-class. Issues: traffic and public transport; more gardaí on the street; strong on children's issues in the past; in relation to health – national screening programmes and free GP visits for under-fives.
Catherine Byrne FG (Dublin South Central)
Former Dublin lord mayor, elected to Dublin City Council in 1999. Been involved with community and voluntary groups in the south west inner city for over 25 years. Good chance of being elected in succession to Gay Mitchell, who is remaining an MEP. Issues: more services and provision for children with disabilities and special needs; more social housing; more community facilities.
Ann Marie Martin FG (Dublin South Central)
Replaced Gay Mitchell on Dublin City Council in 2003. Appears to be on the left of Fine Gael. Issues: social affordable housing, child protection and child sexual abuse, community gardaí.
Lucinda Creighton FG (Dublin South East)
Elected to Dublin City Council in 2004. Currently studying to become a barrister at Kings Inns. A weak candidate. No known views of her own on anything, outside the obvious on local issues. Issues: local community centres; improved planning, conservation of local heritage; development of local amenities; effective waste management and crime rates.
Olivia Mitchell FG (Dublin South)
Fine Gael spokesperson on transport. First became involved in politics in 1985 when she was elected to Dublin County Council. She served on that authority until 2003. First elected to the Dáil in 1997. Consistently opposed Traveller accommodation when a member of Dublin County Council. Issues: more buses for Dublin and a Luas line to Rathfarnham and Knocklyon, traffic jams on the M50.
Fidelma Healy-Eames FG (Galway West)
Stood unsuccessfully in 2002 election. Former teacher and is a member of Galway County Council since 2004. Issues: opposed to the building of a private hospital on public hospital lands at University College Hospital Galway, more community gardaí on the streets; traffic.
Molly Buckley FG (Laois-Offaly)
A public health nurse. Member of Offaly County Council since 1999. No chance of being elected. The third candidate on a ticket that should have just two candidates. Issues: health, disability and carers.
Olwyn Enright FG (Laois-Offaly)
Elected 2002. Fine Gael spokesperson on education and science; previously a solicitor. Daughter of former Fine Gael TD, Tom Enright. Member Offaly County Council: 1999-2003. Possible contender for the Fine Gael leadership. Issues: education, class sizes, special-needs services.
Nicky McFadden FG (Longford/Westmeath)
Manages family pet shop. First elected to Athlone Town Council in 1999. In July 2003 co-opted onto Westmeath County Council. Competing against Mary O'Rourke and has an outside chance. Issues: medical cards, health infrastructure in Athlone, the environment, and water.
Mairead McGuinness FG (Louth)
Elected to the European Parliament in 2004. Former journalist and editor of Farming Independent and was a presenter of RTÉ programme Ear to the Ground. “Imposed” on the party ticket in Louth. Could be a minister in a Fine Gael-Labour-Greens government. Issues: global development policy, the environment, food safety, labelling, and security.
Michelle Mulherin FG (Mayo)
The best Fine Gael candidate in Mayo, bar none. But no hope of election this time. A solicitor, member of Mayo County Council since 2004. Issues: jobs, roads, tourism, renewable energy and investment in Mayo.
Regina Doherty FG (Meath East)
She previously worked as sales director for the Horizon Technology Group and now operates her own successful ICT distribution company with her husband. Has been a member of Fine Gael since childhood. Issues: water, schools, playgrounds, transport, class sizes, tax relief on childcare costs.
Imelda Henry FG (Sligo/North Leitrim)
Has a special video presentation on her campaign, available on YouTube, to the song ‘Flying without Wings' by Westlife. Her father, Peter Henry, was a member of the County Council between 1985 and 1999. She was first elected to Sligo County Council in 2004. A businesswoman. Issues: Breastcheck, illegal dumping, water.