Sinn Fein's female election candidates
Sinn Fein currently have no female TDs in the Dail. They are running 10 female general election candidates.
Anna Prior SF (Clare)
Became a member of Sinn Féin while a student in Galway. She works with the party's All-Ireland department as an outreach coordinator. Issues: 24/7 A&E to continue at Ennis General Hospital; water safety and capacity; lower the voting age to 16.
Sandra McLellan SF ( Cork East)
A member of Youghal town council. She has worked in developing Sinn Féin healthcare policy. Issues: local employment, upgrading secondary roads, rural transport, keeping post offices open and Garda stations.
Mary Lou McDonald SF (Dublin Central)
Elected to the European Parliament in 2004. Dull, safe, never utters a thought that is not "on message" with her party line. Sinn Féin's national chairperson. Previously worked as a consultant for the Irish Productivity Centre and was a researcher for the Institute of European Affairs. Issues: National Children's Hospital to go ahead at the Mater site and medical cards for every child under 18.
Joanne Spain SF (Dublin Mid West)
Previously a journalist, worked for Sinn Féin for the last six years. Issues: Save Crumlin and Tallaght children's hospitals; more gardaí for community policing and a special crime task force to tackle gun and drug crime in Dublin Mid West; an end to tolling on the M50 and investment in public transport, including 500 more buses for Dublin.
Sorcha Nic Cormaic SF (Dublin South)
One of Sinn Féin's two candidates in the Dublin South constituency. Involved in Sinn Féin since 2000. Currently a primary school teacher and works as a resource teacher for Traveller children. Issues: an end to tolling on the M50 and invest in public transport; free public healthcare for all; free preschool for all three-year-olds and smaller class sizes.
Anne Marie Carroll SF (Galway East)
Became involved in politics through a local pressure group that was campaigning against the widening of Seamus Quirke Road. She ran in the 2004 local elections and lost out by just 13 votes. Issues: Investment in social and affordable housing; educational resources for special needs; increased breast and cervical cancer screening for women.
Lynn Ni Bhaoigheallain SF (Kerry South)
A public-relations officer for Sinn Féin. Previously an ecologist in Killarney National Park education centre. Issues: road safety, telecommunications, rezoning, broadband, social and affordable housing; Kerry business development.
Joanne Finnegan SF (Meath East)
An occupational therapist working with the HSE in Coolock. Issues: alleviate overcrowding at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda and restore services at Navan Hospital; close Sellafield and no to incineration.
Christin McAuley SF (Kildare North)
Originally from Lurgan Co Armagh. Family moved to Kildare after a loyalist bomb attack on their home in 1998. Trained youth worker. Contested Kildare local elections in 2004. Issues: waiting lists in Naas Hospital; all new developments to be finished properly and include sufficient transport, healthcare, childcare, recreation facilities and schools.
Kathleen Funchion SF (Carlow/Kilkenny)
Joined SF August 2003, active in Kilkenny 2004 local elections. Equality Officer for the Leinster area. Issues: development of a public hospital in Carlow, retain Carlow Sugar factory for production of bio-fuel.