Cllr Cathy Bennett, Sinn Fein
Born in Tully, Monaghan Town, Cathy was raised and lives in Scotstown, County Monaghan. Her parents are Cahal and Bridie McNally. She has three sisters and is married to Enda Bennett from Tydavnet. They have three teenage children - Eric, Ruth and Beth - and a labradoodle called Bailey.
Operations Manager of The Garage Theatre (CMETB), Cllr Bennett has been a county councillor in Monaghan for 12 years and is the current Cathaoirleach of Monaghan County Council. She is chairperson of the Monaghan Women’s Assembly and a member of Scotstown GAA.
What's the last film you enjoyed watching?
'It Ends With Us'
Why did you enter politics?
To help those in need.
Where do you sit on the political spectrum?
Left/Middle/Republican.
What is your main campaigning issue?
The only way to get a change of government is to vote for Sinn Féin.
What would you do in government?
- Make housing affordable
- €10 a day childcare
- Abolishing USC for average workers
- Access to a GP or a dentist when you need one
- Action to advance Irish Unity
- Abolishing the carer’s means test
- Tackling government waste
Put these in order of importance?
1. Housing
2. Healthcare
3. Job creation - especially childcare
4. Education
5. Roads
6. Policing - more gardaí
7. Defence
Can we afford more refugees?
The government have not handled the processing of refugees in a timely manner.
Sinn Féin would end profiteering and move to state run accommodation.
Should Ireland sanction Israel and how?
STOP importing their produce.
What's the answer to the biodiversity/climate crises?
Education.
Do we need state-run childcare facilities?
Yes. This is something I would work towards if Sinn Féin get into government.
One way to help revive towns and villages?
Communities feel badly let down by Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael. Sinn Féin would invest in communities to ensure they get the support they need to flourish and thrive. Everyone deserves to live in a community that is safe, clean and has the resources they need.