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

While a direct link to Dublin and a policy shaper in a new capacity, those who can advocate for Limerick in Leinster House are still vital to the electorate.

Fianna Fáil's veteran TD and former Defence Minister Willie O'Dea along with current Cabinet member, Fine Gael's Minister-of-State for the OPW Kieran O'Donnell, are certain to be re-elected.

Sinn Féin's Maurice Quinlivan TD topped the polls in the last General Election gaining nearly a quarter of the entire first preference votes.

Despite his party's recent turmoil and a poor showing from Sinn Féin in June's local elections, support for Deputy Quinlivan is still very strong in Limerick City.

It is expected that his popularity will see him elected to the 34th Dáil.

The Green Party, who made history in having their first TD elected to the Dáil for Limerick, in Brian Leddin last time around, may not be successful this time.

The sentiment is that this fourth and final seat is open and will be hotly contested.

Current TDs (Four seats) Kieran O'Donnell (FG), Brian Leddin (GP), Maurice Quinlivan (SF) and Willie O'Dea (FF).

Who could make gains here? Taoiseach Simon Harris' rising popularity since taking over could see Fine Gael gain the final seat – through Senator Maria Byrne.

However, new Fianna Fáil candidate Dee Ryan's very strong showing in placing third in the mayoral election in June could see her elected.

Are there any boundary changes that could be crucial? Constituency boundaries have been redrawn as Birdhill, Kilcomenty, Newport in the former Rural District of Nenagh, were transferred from Limerick to Tipperary.

What issues are under the spotlight? One of the biggest issues has long been the overcrowding crisis at the emergency department (ED) in University Hospital Limerick (UHL). This decades-long-crisis is seen as a political failure and will factor into constituent's voting preferences.

Meanwhile, Limerick has one of the highest commercial vacancy rates in the country, at 17.5pc, behind only Galway in terms of cities, and fourth out of all counties.

There is a 19.4pc vacancy rate in the city centre, equating to one in five businesses vacant.

Drastic incentives to revitalise trade and entice businesses into the city-centre are required, businesses groups and candidates have said.

Limerick Chamber have said policing in the city centre is one of the key issues.

Retail-focused businesses are facing "serious issues" with anti-social and criminal behaviour, it said.

Limerick also has become the third most expensive city to rent in Ireland, with average rents now sitting at over €2,000 per month. The new figures marks a 21.2 per cent increase in rental prices year-on-year in the city, the biggest increase anywhere in the country.

FG - Kieran O'Donnell FG *

Maria Byrne FG

Willie O'Dea FF *

Dee Ryan FF

Esther Aherne (Ind Ire)

Maurice Quinlivan (SF) *

Brian Leddin (GP) *

Melanie Sheehan Cleary (Mid West Hosp campaign)

Cllr Frankie Daly (IND)

Cllr Sarah Beasley (Aontú)

Cllr Conor Sheehan (Lab)

Cllr Elisa O'Donovan (SD)

Further candidates may be added to the ballot

*Indicates a sitting TD

*Sitting TDs