Social Democrats select Pádraig Rice to run in Cork South Central at general election

Cork City South Central councillor Pádraig Rice has been selected by the Social Democrats to contest the forthcoming general election.

In a well-attended selection convention, Mr Rice secured the party’s nomination for the five-seat Cork South Central, ahead of European elections candidate Susan Doyle.

Mr Rice was elected to Cork City Council in June, winning 10% of the first preference vote. Since then, has been outspoken on the issue of housing, focusing in particular on the need for the council to tackle vacancy and dereliction in the city.

Change

Mr Rice said he was delighted to have been selected by party members, explaining: “I have decided to run in this election because I believe it’s time for change.

“We need to elect new people with a fresh vision for the country. I believe in a Republic of equals, where everyone has access to affordable housing, timely healthcare and a safe and clean environment.

“Too many people in my generation have been locked out of housing, and I want to stand up for them and fight for a fairer and more equal Ireland.

“We need to build more homes, provide better disability services, take meaningful climate action and reduce hospital waiting lists – the only way to achieve that is by electing new TDs and a different Dáil.” 

Mr Rice, who has a Law Degree from UCC and a Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Oxford, hopes to use these skills to help improve the lives of people in Cork and across Ireland.

He added: “Housing is my number one priority. No one in Ireland should be homeless. The State must build more social and affordable homes to end the housing crisis.

“Delivering better healthcare is also really important for me. Everyone should have access to good-quality healthcare that is free at the point of use. We must end the two-tier system and the long waiting lists and provide universal access.

“I believe that we need to invest more in public services. We need to increase public investment in childcare, education and public transport to reduce fees and improve services,” he concluded.

Focus

Welcoming Mr Rice’s selection, party leader Holly Cairns said: “Pádraig is a dedicated and hard-working public representative who has really hit the ground running since his recent election to Cork City Council - with a focus on affordable housing, public services and local government reform.

“I know Pádraig shares the party’s vision for vastly improved public services, a properly functioning health service, a sustainable environment and housing that is genuinely affordable. More than that, he is already working hard to deliver these things on the ground in Cork.

“Pádraig exemplifies the type of change that the Social Democrats offer and I am certain that he would be an incredible, and extremely hard-working, TD for the area.

“The Social Democrats put in a very strong performance in the local elections in this constituency. There is now a real opportunity for the people of Cork South Central to vote for meaningful change.”