Constituency Profile:
There have been major changes to the boundaries of this new constituency. A population of 13,146 in the former rural districts of Glin and Newcastle areas in western Limerick has been transferred in to this constituency.
A population of 5,098 in the Deelis, Kilgobban, Knockglass, Bartregaum, Kilfelim, Cordal and Castleisland areas has been transferred out to Kerry South. The constituency remains a three-seater.
Taking account of the major boundary changes its population based on the 2006 Census would be 77,492. Tralee and Listowel in Kerry and Abbeyfeale in Limerick are the main towns in this predominantly rural constituency, with Tralee acting as the main urban centre in the constituency.
The town hosts the headquarters of the Kerry Group, a world leader in the food industry, as well as an Institute of Technology and a technology park intended as an employment draw to local graduates.
Some of the other major employers in the constituency include Beru Electronics and Aetna Ireland, but naturally there have been job losses in the constituency in recent years, with textile firm Amann closing its plant in Tralee with the loss of 330 jobs, and Beru Electronics shedding 80 staff.
Constituency Boundaries: There have been major changes to the boundaries of this new constituency. (See above)
Seats: Three
2007 Quota: 9,829
2011 Candidates
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Jimmy Deenihan - Fine Gael
Jimmy Deenihan was First elected to the Dáil in 1987, Deenihan topped the poll in Kerry North at the last election. A former All-Ireland winning footballer, Deenihan is Fine Gael Spokesperson on Tourism, Culture and Sport.
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Tom Donovan - Green Party
Tom Donovan is running for the Green Party in Kerry North-West Limerick.
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Martin Ferris - Sinn Féin
Martin Ferris was first elected to the Dáil in 2002, when he topped the poll, he is the Sinn Féin spokesperson on Agriculture and Rural Development and Marine and Natural Resources.
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Mary Fitzgibbon - Independent
Mary Fitzgibbon is a nurse and a lecturer at IT Tralee, Fitzgibbon is a first-time election candidate. She is supported by the Kerry Public Service Workers' Alliance.
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Sam Locke - Independent
Sam Locke is an Independent candidate running in Kerry North-West Limerick.
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Tom McEllistrim - Fianna Fáil
Tom McEllistrim was first elected to the Dáil in 2002, McEllistrim's grandfather and father both served as TDs for this constituency.
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John McKenna - Independent
From Listowel, John McKenna is a first-time general election contestant.
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Bridget O'Brien - Independent
Bridget O'Brien is a Tralee-based general practitioner, O'Brien is a first-time Dáil candidate.
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Michael Reidy - Independent
Michael Reidy, a second-time Dáil candidate, is a member of the 'New Vision' alliance of Independent candidates.
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John Sheahan - Fine Gael
John Sheahan is Fine Gael Group Leader on Limerick County Council, Sheahan is contesting his first general election.
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Arthur Spring - Labour Party
Arthur Spring is the nephew of former Labour leader, Dick Spring, he is currently the Mayor of Tralee. Both his Uncle and his grandfather, Dan Spring, have served as TD for this constituency.
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Sitting TDs: Tom McEllistrim (FF), Martin Ferris (SF), Jimmy Deenihan (FG).
General Election 2007:
Sinn Féin’s Martin Ferris, Jimmy Deenihan of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil’s Tom McEllistrim all contested the 2007 election and all three retained their seats.
Jimmy Deenihan topped the poll with an impressive 12,697 first preferences, almost 3,000 over the quota.
Tom McEllistrim retained his seat for Fianna Fáil in 2007, holding off the challenge of Norma Foley, daughter of former TD Denis Foley, who was eliminated on the third count.
Despite the strong performance by Jimmy Deenihan of Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil’s vote share was also up slightly in 2007.
Despite seeing his vote decline from 24.2% in 2002 to 20.4% in 2007, Martin Ferris was comfortably ahead of Labour’s Terry O’Brien, who polled a disappointing 10.9% of first preferences for a Labour Party coming to terms with the post-Dick Spring era in Kerry.
2002 Turnout: 71.3%
2007 Turnout: 70.5%
Oireachtas Constituency Information
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