Fine Gael bye-election candidate James Geoghegan intends to deliver for Dublin Bay South as bid to win Dáil seat begins

Fine Gael bye-election candidate James Geoghegan says he intends to deliver for the people of Dublin Bay South as his campaign to win the Dáil seat gets underway.

Councillor Geoghegan (35) who represents the Pembroke electoral area in Dublin City Council, was selected as the party’s candidate for the upcoming Dublin Bay South bye-election.

Minister Simon Harris has been appointed as Director of Elections for Councillor Geoghegan and will oversee the campaign to hold the Fine Gael seat in the Dublin constituency.

Having been elected to Dublin City Council in 2019, Councillor Geoghegan has a strong track-record in public service, voting to support the delivery of affordable homes at €300,000 and has campaigned to re-shape Dublin’s urban environment and to support local businesses.

As a practicing barrister and someone with liberal, progressive values, Councillor Geoghegan supported the repeal of the 8^th amendment and the Marriage Equality Referendum and was a signatory to the Lawyers for Yes campaign.

Councillor Geoghegan intends to win the seat for Fine Gael and will work hard for his constituents on issues that matter to them, with his three priorities as follows:

• Smart investment in childcare, education, and our work environment to help get our country back on its feet;
• Make Dublin a 15-minute city, in which local schools, businesses, and community services are all within a 15-minute walk or cycle from your home;
• Build more homes for young people and families.

Speaking at the campaign launch today, Councillor Geoghegan said: “As someone who is steeped in the tradition of Fine Gael, I am deeply honoured to have been selected as the party’s candidate for the Dublin Bay South bye-election.

“Together with my supporters and campaign team, I intend to put a huge amount of energy into contesting this election to ensure the voice of the community that I care so passionately about is heard in Dáil Éireann.

“As a father of two small children and someone who is self-employed, I understand the challenges facing people in Dublin Bay South and across our country when it comes to housing, affordable childcare, education, protecting our environment, and in providing equality of opportunity for all.

“This is what persuaded me to enter politics and my determination to overcome those challenges is what will drive me throughout this campaign.

“I also hope to be a positive voice for young people and will do all I can to give them the opportunity to own their own home and to support their family.”

Fine Gael President and An Tánaiste Leo Varadkar, TD, said Councillor Geoghegan is a rising star in local and national politics whose experience, ability and knowledge will stand in his favour as he contests the Dublin Bay South bye-election.

“I would like to congratulate James on being selected as our candidate. The Fine Gael family will be supporting his campaign 100%. We’ll be fighting this bye-election to win.

“It is strong constituency for Fine Gael in which we headed the poll with 28% of the vote in the 2020 General Election. That’s well short of the 50% needed to reach the quota in a bye-election but with strong transfers from other parties, I believe we can pull it off.

“James is local person, born and raised in the constituency. He has proven himself to be an enthusiastic and dedicated public representative for the residents of Dublin Bay South.

“As a young person in his mid-thirties and father of two young boys, he can be an advocate within Government on the issues that affect his generation the most like the need for more housing, home ownership, the environment and the need for more and better jobs,” Tánaiste Leo Varadkar said.

Fine Gael’s Director of Elections Simon Harris said: “I am delighted to be appointed Director of Elections for the Dublin Bay South constituency.

“We will be doing absolutely everything we can to retain the seat for Fine Gael. However for that to happen, we require as much support as possible for our excellent candidate.

“Cllr Geoghegan will be a great asset to the Dáil and the Fine Gael party if elected in the upcoming bye- election. I look forward to having the chance to meet the people of Dublin Bay South over the coming weeks,” Minister Harris said.