FG Profiles of Candiates

Fine Gael have put profiles on it's website of the 700+ local election candidates up for election next year. Below I have linked to the candidates for Cork City Council. During the week I will do Cork County Council followed by the various town councils. I will try and link also to any campaign sites or interesting stuff I find by googling the candidates names!

Cllr Brian Bermingham - Cork South West LEA
Brian is currently the Lord Mayor of Cork. His profile is quite sparse but has been an elected representative since the 1970's. He has is own website here

Cllr John Buttimer - Cork South West LEA
John is a Senior Clinical Psychologist and was co-opted to replace his brother Jerry Buttimer after his election to Seanad Eireann. John is originally from Bishopstown. His profile is sparse but he tells me he will get it done and a website is in the works somewhere down the line!

Mr Des Cahill - Cork South East LEA
Des is a businessman from Blackrock. He hopes to be an "approachable and professional link between" the General Public and TD's and Senators.

Cllr. Jim Corr - Cork South East LEA
It would be easier to list things in Cork that don't involve Jim in someway then to list the things he is involved with! He is involved with things like the Opera House and the Midsummer Festival. He has been a Councillor since the 1970's

Cllr Dino Cregan - Cork South Central LEA
Dino is one of the stalwarts of Cork City Council and a local businessman! If you haven't been to Cork unless you have eaten in Dino's!

Mr Anthony Dennehy - Cork North Central LEA
Anthony is a native of Ballyvolane and wants to represent his City. Anthony was on teacher placement in St. Aidans Community College and this is what one of his students had to say on the ratemyteacher.com website

Sound out-can relate to young people well cos hes young enough himself. Knows exactly the problems facing teens in ballyvolane. Can be strict with referals & rules at times-we're only having a mess!!

One of his priorities is the following, and is one that maybe should be thought about.

The establishment of a seperate tourist body to promote Cork as a region in it's own right and not as part of the South West. The loss of the Cork-Swansea ferry route has had significant economic consequences for the greater Cork region and re-establishing this link must be an immediate priority.

Cllr Patricia Gosch - Cork North Central LEA
Patricia is currently Deputy Mayor of Cork. She is seeking to re-election to Cork City Council.

Mr Barry Keane - Cork South West LEA
Barry is originally from Bishopstown and now lives in The Lough area (like me!). He is a teacher in Colaiste an Spioraid Naoimh and judging from the comments on the ratemyteacher.com site he is "sound", a "legend", "king among men", "god among mere mortals", "pope" and "santa". (Don't ask about the last two, I worry about the youth of today). He has a list of priorities among which are

Work to create jobs by building on Cork's major competitive advantage in the food, and food technology industries. We need local jobs for local people, and Foreign Multi-Nationals alone will not provide enough jobs. UCC is a leading food science university, and the city should work with them to incubate commercially viable products.

An interesting idea that works on Cork's strength both past and current strengths.

Cllr Laura McGonigle - Cork South East LEA
Laure is 25 years old and was co-opted onto City Council in 2007 to fill the seat left by Deirdre Clune's election. She has her own website. One of her priorities is Douglas Swimming pool which has fallen into neglect over the last number of years and badly needs refurbishment!

Cllr Dara Murphy - Cork North East LEA
Dara is from Gardiners hill and was elected in 2004. Sparse profile and I don't know an awful lot about him!

Mr Emmet O'Halloran - Cork South Central LEA
Emmet is highly involved in the community in Turners Cross as he is Chairperson of Turner's Cross Community Association and he is Director of Turner's Cross Community Development Club. He has four priorities

* Better facilities for young people
* Practical solutions to anti-social behaviour
* Completion of the Cork Docklands Project
* A fair and equitable social housing system

I realise there is no candidate listed for Cork North West LEA. No convention must have been held yet. I will update this or post again when it happens.