People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith to step down following conclusion of 33rd Dáil
Cllr Hazel de Nortúin selected to stand for People Before Profit in Dublin South Central
People Before Profit TD for Dublin South Central Bríd Smith will step down from her position as a TD following the conclusion of the 33rd Dáil. She will not run for election in the next Dáil but will remain an activist and socialist in the Ballyfermot area and with the party nationally.
Cllr Hazel de Nortúin has been selected to run for People Before Profit in the Dublin South Central constituency in the next general election.
Bríd Smith TD said: “Today I am announcing that I will not be running in the next general election. It has been a privilege to serve the people of the Dublin South Central constituency over the past 14 years as a TD and councillor and I will continue to be an active and vocal TD until the next general election.
“I believe however that the next election is an opportunity for People Before Profit in Dublin South Central to promote a new generation of activists. We need younger voices to represent the people of Dublin South Central. As a young mother from Cherry Orchard Cllr Hazel de Nortúin will be a very strong candidate and I am delighted that she has been selected by PBP members in the constituency to contest the next general election.
“During my time as a public representative for the area I have been involved in numerous campaigns such as the water charges, bin tax, for marriage equality and the repeal of the Eighth Amendment. I have been a voice for workers’ and trade union rights and have provided support to many striking workers. Most recently I have played a role in building the Ireland for All anti-racist initiative. I am also proud of my record as PBP’s Climate Spokesperson, promoting change to tackle the climate crisis such as banning exploration for oil and gas and ending the proliferation of data centres.
“There are many initiatives locally that I am equally proud of like the campaign for domestic violence centres in Dublin South Central, and for adequate social and affordable housing.
“I would like to thank the people of Dublin South Central and the local People Before Profit branch for putting their trust in me over these years. It continues to be a privilege to serve this wonderful community.”
Cllr de Nortúin said: “I feel a tremendous sense of pride having been selected to stand at the next general election for People Before Profit in the Dublin South Central area. I am originally from Cherry Orchard, but I look forward to campaigning on issues that affect everyone in all areas of Dublin South Central.
“During my time as a councillor on Dublin City Council I have led initiatives such as the fight against the water charges, to repeal the 8th amendment, and to promote the Irish language. I have campaigned for public housing and an end to the blight of homelessness. One of my priorities for the area is to ensure that adequate domestic violence centres are opened in the Dublin South Central area.
“We also need to continue to put pressure on the government through campaigns on housing, the cost of living crisis, workers’ rights, and for radical climate action.
“I want to thank Bríd for all her hard work. By no means is she hanging up her boots politically, so I really look forward to working with her and the fantastic group of branches that we have in this area to build people power movements to bring about the radical change that is so desperately needed.”
