Lord Mayor of Dublin Ray McAdam to contest Dublin Central bye-election

The Lord Mayor of Dublin, Councillor Ray McAdam, has been selected as the Fine Gael candidate to contest the upcoming bye-election in Dublin Central.

Members of Fine Gael in the Dublin Central constituency met at the selection convention at the Ashling Hotel, Dublin this evening.

Ray McAdam was first elected to Dublin City Council in 2009 and has been re-elected in every subsequent local election — 2014, 2019, and again in 2024, when he topped the poll for Fine Gael in the north inner city for the first time in the ward’s history.

He is currently serving as the 358th Lord Mayor of Dublin.

Councillor Ray McAdam said: “I am deeply honoured to have been selected as Fine Gael’s candidate for Dublin Central in the forthcoming bye-election.

“For 17 years, I have had the privilege of serving communities across this constituency as a local councillor, and as Lord Mayor, I have sought to stand up for a Dublin that is ambitious, inclusive, safe and open to all.

“Now I want to bring that same record of delivery, that same energy, and that same belief in the potential of our capital city to Dáil Éireann.

“This campaign is about the future of Dublin Central. It is about stronger communities, a more vibrant city, and practical leadership that gets things done. I look forward to meeting voters across the constituency, hearing what matters most to them, and asking for their support to build an even better Dublin together.’”

Leader of Fine Gael and Tánaiste Simon Harris said: “Throughout his political career, Ray McAdam has proven himself to be a person of decency, hard work and public service.

“Ray cares passionately about the communities of Dublin Central; communities that he has championed for over 17 years.

“Whether as a councillor or Lord Mayor of Dublin City, Ray has always demonstrated his desire to deliver for his constituents.

“He will make an excellent TD in Dáil Éireann and I very much look forward to visiting Dublin Central and meeting people on the doors as we seek support for Ray’s candidacy.”

Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora Neale Richmond, who is Fine Gael’s Director of Election for the Dublin Central bye-election said: “I am thrilled that the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Ray McAdam, has been selected as the Fine Gael candidate for this bye-election.

“Paschal Donohoe represented this community with distinction for over 20 years, we need to elect someone equally as committed to replace him in the Dáil.

“Ray McAdam is exactly that person.

“Ray and myself have been good friends since our days with the party leader in Young Fine Gael. I have seen close up how hard he has worked for this community since first being elected to Dublin City Council 17 years ago. 

“Ray is the most experienced and best qualified candidate who can actually deliver as a Government TD for Dublin Central.

“Ray would make an excellent TD and I look forward to Fine Gael running an energetic and positive campaign.”