Donegal Election 2024: Who are the candidates and who could make gains? Everything you need to know before voting

Current TDs (five seats)

Pearse Doherty (SF), Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (SF), Charlie McConalogue (FF), Joe McHugh (Ind), Thomas Pringle (Ind)

TD Joe McHugh has been a Fine Gael TD for Donegal since 2016, having been a TD in the Donegal North-East constituency between 2007 and 2016.

He served as a Minister of State for a number of departments between 2014 and 2017 and was Government Chief Whip from 2017 to 2018 before becoming Education Minister in October 2018.

In July 2022, Deputy McHugh resigned the party whip after voting against the Government's defective blocks Bill.

He has carried out the remaining government term as an Independent TD and he announced his decision not to contest the upcoming general election.

Fine Gael has added two new faces to the ticket with the selection of newcomers Senator Nikki Bradley and John McNulty.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Charlie McConalogue will seek to retain his seat for Fianna Fáil, while Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher and newcomer Claudia Kennedy join him on the ticket.

Independent TD Thomas Pringle, who has been a TD for Donegal since 2011, has also confirmed that he will run for re-election.

Sinn Féin Deputies Pádraig Mac Lochlainn and Pearse Doherty have been selected by their party to run in the upcoming General Election and retain their seats.

In the 2020 general election, Pearse Doherty had the most first preference votes followed by Padraig MacLochlainn. Both TDs were elected on the first count.

Who could make gains here?

Newcomers the 100% Redress Party are hoping to build on the success of the local election and take a seat in the county with the selection of Charles Ward as their candidate. The party has gained popularity due to its campaigning on the defective concrete block issues affecting thousands of homeowners in Donegal.

The government parties in the county have come under intense fire over the handling of the defective concrete block crisis and with Sinn Fein promising to deliver for those impacted, their stance could win them some new votes.

However, the return of former Fianna Fáil TD Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher to the ticket could serve well for Fianna Fáil in the county. Mr Gallagher boasts a long standing political career as he has served as Leas-Cheann Comhairle of Dáil Éireann from 2016 to 2020 and as a Minister of State from 1987 to 1994 and from 2002 to 2008.

What issues are under the spotlight?

The defective concrete block scandal remains as one of the biggest issues impacting Donegal.

While remediation has begun on some houses across the county, many homeowners are still facing a major financial burden in fixing their homes. Meanwhile a combination of a lack of housing supply, high vacancy rates and the defective concrete block crisis has contributed to the housing crisis.

The health service in Donegal continues to cause concern for residents with Letterkenny University Hospital regularly reporting overcrowding and lengthy delays in the emergency department. Patients being forced to travel to other parts of the country for medical treatment is also an ongoing issue.

Other issues include issues with infrastructure, quality of roads and a lack of public transport. The county is hopeful the Ten T project will proceed at speed after the project received Cabinet approval to move to the planning stage in July 2024.

Candidates

Nikki Bradley, Fine Gael

Vincent J Bradley, Independent

Nuala Carr, Green Party

Pearse Doherty, Sinn Féin*

Carol Gallagher, People Before Profit-Solidarity

Pat ‘the Cope’ Gallagher, Fianna Fáil

Noel Jordan, Sinn Féin

Claudia Kennedy, Fianna Fáil

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn, Sinn Féin*

Charlie McConalogue, Fianna Fáil*

Niall McConnell, Independent

Eamon McGee, Irish Freedom Party

Arthur Desmond McGuinness, Independent

Gerry McKeever, Independent

Kim McMenamin, Independent

John McNulty, Fine Gael

Frank O’Donnell, Independent

Thomas Pringle, Independent*

Mary T Sweeney, Aontu

Charles Ward, The 100% Redress Party

*Indicates sitting TD