Sinn Féin President Mary Lou McDonald has welcomed the moving of the writs in the Dáil which marks the start of the four bye-election campaigns.

Teachta McDonald said:

“These by-elections are important. They are an opportunity for the people to give their verdict on the failed politics and weak government of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

“Sinn Féin is fielding an excellent slate of candidates in Cllr. Thomas Gould in Cork North Central, Cllr. Mark Ward in Dublin Mid West, Cllr. Ann Graves in Dublin Fingal and Johnny Mythen in Wexford.

“All four candidates are top-class activists who hard to stand up for ordinary people and deliver for local communities.

“Many people have been left behind by the recovery. They don’t see the benefits reaching their families and their communities. Sinn Féin wants to change that.

“We will deliver for hard-working families who see their wages hoovered up by rip off insurance costs, rents and childcare fees. To end the crises in housing and healthcare we need new policies new politics to deliver solutions.

“That is the platform on which our four bye-election candidates stand and I look forward to joining them on the campaign trail over the coming weeks.”