Bailieborough-Cootehill MD Candidate: Marina McEntee (SF)

From Kingscourt Marina McEntee is running as a first time candidate for Sinn Fein. A former factory worker in Manor Farm in Shercock, she was also a union rep in the Shercock chicken processor. She is currently the only woman working on the production floor in College Proteins in Nobber. She lives in Killann with her partner Erica and their dogs. They are getting married in February.

How do you unwind?

When I get the chance I spend my time with Erica and our dogs, or to go to gigs - mainly Irish acts.

Why should people vote for you?

I'm an ordinary working person, I'm not from a political family. I have a lot to prove, but I'd love if people gave me the chance to prove myself. Anyone who knows me, knows I'm not afraid of hard work, I'm not afraid to get my hands dirty - literally. I could have sat at home giving out about things, but I thought I wanted to make a difference, and this is how I could do it. Hopefully people give me the chance to actually do it.

What will you do to address housing supply?

An issue close to my heart would be dealing with derelict properties in the county - they are wasted opportunities for families on the social housing list to get somewhere in the heart of the community. It's the same for people who want to set up a business - there are commercial options there if those places were done up and made available - people would take them on. And more social and affordable houses are needed - I think that's plain as day. There are a lot of families on the housing list for years in this county and it's not fair - people are putting their lives on hold. They can't have children, or pets and are still living at home with mam and dad.

Has Ireland taken in enough refugees?

Refugees are human beings and we need to look at their situation from an empathetic point of view.

I also believe the system we have in this country is not effective or efficient.

The people who come in - if you don't have ID or documentation with you then we need to 100% establish who you are, and establish if you have a criminal record. Make the decision on status quickly. Either you stay and get a job and contribute to the community or you have to go home. And the State has to make sure that you do leave.

What is your main campaigning issue?

Housing - at the doors I have spoken to heartbroken parents whose children are emigrating to Australia or Canada; one lady's son was heading off to Japan. I don't think people should have to leave the country over housing. We're a small country, we should be able to deal with housing people.

These parents would make your heart bleed. They don't want their kids to leave, they want them to set up home here and have their families, grankids nearby, and not having to Facetime them half way across the world.

Another issue for me is health services, particularly for elderly people and for children with special needs.

I saw with my own grandmother when she was dying: everything had to be fought for. Families are exhausted by that. It's the same for parents of children with autism, they are begging you for support. They are not getting the services they need, or they are waiting so long it's too late for some of their kids - they are teenagers or are heading into early adulthood. The funding has to be there, the support has to be there.

Should biodiversity/climate top the council agenda?

I don't think it should be at the top of the agenda - it should be high up the agenda. We only have one planet.

We need to be realistic about what individual people can do when we have huge companies causing massive amounts of pollution - it can't all fall back on the individual homeowner or individual farmer. It is a team effort and people are pulling their weight in terms of the climate crisis, but I think the county has bigger problems at the moment with health and housing.

Who in the political sphere has influenced you most?

Cllr Paddy McDonald is a mentor to me, he has worked closely with me, brought me out on my canvases. He's 100% supported me and is aways on the end of the phone for me. He is brilliant. Another is Deputy Louise O'Reilly - I love her experience in the trade unions, she was a representative for doctors and nurses. Having worked as a union rep myself in Manor Farm, I really admire her. It's a tough job. She's no nonsense - I like that about her, she cuts through the crap.