Crucial constituencies: Dublin Fingal West profile – Candidates and issues

Tomas Doherty

Dublin Fingal West is one of the new constituencies in this election, making the outcome harder to predict.

Here is everything you need to know about the area before heading to the polls on November 29th.

The constituency

Dublin Fingal West is a new constituency in one of Ireland’s fastest growing regions.

It includes towns along the northern commuter rail line, such as Rush, Lusk, Balbriggan and Skerries, along with Garristown in the west. The population is 88,167.

Dublin Airport and its immediate surrounds have moved into the constituency from Dublin North-West.

The issues

A population boom in the area means housing, transport and public services are all under strain.

The reliability of rail services for commuters is likely to be a big issue after controversial changes earlier this year led to delays, packed platforms and congested trains.

Dublin Airport is a major employer locally, but complaints are growing about aircraft noise from the new northern runway.

Seats

There are three seats in this new constituency.

Candidates

Two of the outgoing TDs from the old Dublin Fingal constituency are based here and are standing again.

Sinn Féin’s Louise O’Reilly is likely to retain her seat, though it might be a tougher fight for Green incumbent Joe O'Brien.

Outgoing TDs

Louise O'Reilly – Sinn Féin
Joe O'Brien – Green Party