Mary has been selected by Fianna Fáil as a General Election candidate for Dublin Central.

Commenting on her selection, Mary said: “Thanks to Fianna Fáil Dublin Central members for selecting me to contest the next General Election for the party in Dublin Central.”

“The world has changed dramatically since the last General Election.  At the next General Election voters will choose between voting for a government led by a democratic, liberal and inclusive party or a government led by an undemocratic, nationalist, socialist party.

Democracy is under attack all around the world.  Now more than ever we need strong, democratic, and liberal voices in the Dáil.

Dublin Central needs a strong, liberal, progressive TD to champion all that’s great about our constituency and drive sustainable progress.

It is thirteen years since Dublin Central elected a Fianna Fáil TD and in that time, far too often, the personal political ambitions of TDs for the constituency have taken precedence over the constituencies needs. 

As a TD for Dublin Central the constituency will always be my first priority. 

For more than twenty years, as a former City Councillor and a Senator, I have consistently prioritised the needs of our community above all else. 

I have championed projects and policies that uplift and empower people of all ages in Dublin Central. I am committed to working with and for the people of Dublin Central.  I am determined to ensure that their voices are heard and amplified in the next Dáil.”

“Since I was appointed to the Seanad in 2020, I have worked closely with government to bring real change to Dublin Central in housing, urban regeneration, education and health.

For over a decade, no homes were built in Dublin Central. Now, there are more than 2,500 social and affordable homes under development right across the constituency.

In terms of urban regeneration, I am proud to have helped secure more than €120million to fund the new Rutland Street Community Hub, creation of a national centre of remembrance at the former Magdalene Laundry on Sean McDermott Street, redevelopment of Dalymount Park, reopening of the Fruit & Veg Market, expansion of the Royal Canal Greenway and creation of the Moore Street National Monument.

In education, I was proud to secure, after a more than fourteen-year campaign, approval for building of a new school for Gaelscoil Choláiste Mhuire on Dominick Street and continued expansion of TUD’s Grangegorman campus.  The rollout of free schoolbooks and free hot school meals has created an equality of access for all children to education in Dublin Central and helped reduce the financial burden for their families.

Since Fianna Fáil took the lead on Health people living in Dublin Central have greater and more affordable access to healthcare.  Every young woman in Dublin Central has access to free contraception.  Full medical card cover has been extended to more people young and old.  New Primary Care Centres at Grangegorman and Summerhill along with significant capital investment in the Rotunda and the Mater Hospital is increasing the access, affordability, and quality of care for all in our community. 

“Like all constituencies Dublin Central has its challenges. But since Fianna Fáil entered Government in 2020 I have used my role in the Seanad to drive positive change for Dublin Central.  To challenge the failings and build on the potential.  I believe there is huge opportunity for us to increase the pace and capacity of sustainable development in Dublin Central. 

At the next General Election, I will ask voters to give me their vote to back positive, liberal, inclusive change.  I will ask voters to reject the tired and toxic negative narrative of the opposition that always seeks to exploit division and disadvantage.  I will ask voters in Dublin Central to give me their support to champion all that’s great about Dublin Central and challenge all that needs fixing”.