In anticipation of the impending general election, thought to be less than two weeks away, political triumph is at the forefront of every politician’s psyche. Each constituency tussle has an assembly of party strategists rigorously working in their election operation centres, finalising the shining details of campaign strategies, slogans, and manifestos. However, who are the people operating within these centres, and what’s the overarching strategy?
The party of Fine Gael has designated Olwyn Enright, a former Laois-Offaly TD, to be the election director. This decision came after her appointment as the organisational director last summer. Her role is pivotal – she holds the mandate for the nationwide election campaign. A TD from 2002 to 2011, Enright has been actively engaged in shaping party messaging, strategising, and campaigning. In light of her appointment, some internal members of Fine Gael perceived this as Simon Harris’s assertion of his influence over the party, and a departure from the organisational frameworks that Leo Varadkar, the former Taoiseach, once implemented.
Fine Gael’s strategic arsenal also includes Phil Hogan, a former EU Commissioner, who has been brought in as an election strategist and serves on an internal election committee. Hogan was recently embroiled in public dispute with Varadkar for attending a contentious Oireachtas Golf Society dinner in Galway amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
Also part of the backstage team is Dublin South-West TD Colm Brophy, meanwhile former MEP and minister Frances Fitzgerald is lending her efforts. The Minister for Social Protection, Heather Humphreys, despite her plans to retreat from the political arena, is also cooperating in the strategising efforts. Another team member is Joanne Lonergan, an adviser to the Taoiseach, who previously collaborated with Harris during his tenure as health minister, went on to PR consultant, and is now back in the party’s fold.
Lastly, John Carroll, the general secretary, is a significant part of the election squad.
Fine Gael anticipates a strong performance in the upcoming elections, confidently fielding quadruple candidates in regions such as Mayo. A typical tactic by political parties is to meticulously schedule the leader’s itinerary during the entire campaign, as demonstrated by the ‘leader’s tour’ across the nation. In keeping with the tradition, Harris, like others in his position, has been on a soliciting spree throughout the summer season. Anticipate that the ruling party’s manifesto revolves around the ‘new energy’ buzzword that it has been emphasizing for a while. In terms of discourse, anticipate the debate to be dominated around the implications of the fiscal plan for 2025 on the common man’s financial wellbeing.
Fianna Fáil has assigned the electoral campaign’s reins to Finance Minister Jack Chambers, due to his commendable performance in the twin capacities during local and European ballotings. In these past elections, Fianna Fáil barely emerged triumphant as the largest party in local governance, securing a marginal lead with 248 chairs vis-a-vis Fine Gael’s 245.
Chambers, emulating his counterpart Olwyn Enright from Fine Gael, anticipates traversing the length and breadth of the country ahead of the campaign. The team includes former minister for transportation Noel Dempsey, who held multiple ministries including transport, and has served as a Fianna Fáil TD between 1987 and 2011. Alongside him are Assistant General Secretary Darragh McShea and State Minister at the Department of Justice, James Bowne.
Renowned former RTÉ and Virgin Media producer, Siobhán Russell takes the helm of communications. Other key personnel include Deirdre Gillane and Pat McParland, the senior party advisor, and the deputy chief of communications and policies respectively during ex-PM Brian Cowen’s tenure.
Another noteworthy individual is Peter MacDonagh, a seasoned party adviser who initially collaborated with Micheál Martin in 1997, and continues to play a significant role today. Nicknamed the ‘Child of Prague’ due to his residence in the Czech capital, he is widely respected.
Fianna Fáil’s campaign, under the banner ‘Moving Forward. Together’ sets to differentiate its stance from Fine Gael’s by emphasizing their contributions in crucial sectors such as housing and health, in a subtle dig at their counterparts.
As shared by an anonymous senior figure, every political party must stand firm in an election, relying solely on their capacities. We are prepared to do just that, highlighting our accomplishments and bravely confronting areas of concern with no compromises in the form of voting alliances.
Matt Carthy, the TD for Sinn Féin’s Cavan-Monaghan, has recently been tasked with supervising election issues. Familiar with the role since the 2016 general election, he now holds a critical position in determining the ultimate candidate count. In past elections, Sinn Féin was criticised for having too limited candidate representation during the monumental 2020 election win. Then, it received critique for overcrowding the 2024 local election with their candidates when their national vote did not even reach 12 per cent.
As the campaign nears, Carthy and other tacticians, influenced by the incoming public opinion polls, will determine the final count of their party representation. Preliminary estimations indicate a likely total in the mid-sixties.
During recent months, the Party Leader Mary Lou McDonald has been engaged in consultations with local party members and potential candidates nationally. Providing assistance in organisation is Pearse Doherty, Deputy Dáil leader, Sam Baker, incoming general secretary, and Robbie Smyth, the head of communications. Eoin Ó Broin and Louise O’Reilly, among other senior TDs, are also contributing to the preparations. As the party’s manifesto and slogan are in the final stages, it will be insightful to see if they retain their previous ‘Change’ message from 2020.
For the Green Party, Roderic O’Gorman, the Party Leader, is spearheading the cause, assisted by Maura Rose McMahon, General Secretary, and Tom Molloy, communication head. Aiden Corkery, Deputy Government Press Secretary, Anna Conlon, and Dónall Geoghegan joint chiefs of staff are also involved. While Pauline O’Reilly, Chair, and Senator Róisín Garvey, part of the parliamentary party, are involved in the activities of the election team, the party is completing its general election manifesto, as per an insider.
As self-professed advocates of comprehensive policy, the party’s documentation is abundant with policies. Indeed, half a year ago, the common discussion was on whether the administration would be governed by Sinn Féin or alternatively by Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. Yet, the dialogue has now shifted, with the public questioning who will be joining Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. The party strategist states that this will be the crux of the forthcoming election fight.
As for the Labour Party, it’s enjoying a renewed energy following their superior than anticipated performance in the recent local and European elections. Party’s election war room is currently situated in their Dublin head office on Aungier Street, but policy announcements will commence from various areas across the nation. It’s in the war room where the likes of general secretary Billie Sparks are heading the election endeavour. Sparks is working with Clodagh Bergin, who oversees communications, and Cathal McCann, chief of political strategy. Aideen Blackwood is troubleshooting ground-level issues whereas the party have brought on political consultant Paul Daly to prep new candidates on policy and communication. The party’s manifesto is forged and their slogan “Building Better Together” – a nod to both the ongoing housing issue and their personal ties and history with trade unions – has been decided.
The Social Demorats, on the other hand, have given general secretary Sabrina Ryan and ex-journalist Colette Browne the responsibility of leading the election war room effort, with Browne being the director for politics and communication. Vic Duggan is the director of strategy and Eamon Murphy is a policy director.
Some of the other minor parties, one being People Before Profit (PBP) have constructed their own election war room. Run by TDs Richard Boyd-Barrett and Paul Murphy, director of elections and TD Bríd Smith, national secretary Kieran Allen, national organiser Darryl Horan, and Councillors Melisa Halpin and Madeleine Johansson, the PBP’s election war room has come up with two campaign slogans: “Another Ireland is Possible” and “End 100 Years of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil.” PBP is aiming to put forth a candidate in almost all constituencies.
Spearheading the Independent Ireland’s cause are three TDs: Limerick TD Richard O’Donoghue, Cork South West TD Michael Collins, and Roscommon Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice. Peadar Tóibín, the Aontú leader, is managing the election campaign for his party.