COUNCIL PROFILE/Cork: Fine Gael-Labour should maintain their control, writes Barry Roche, Southern Correspondent.
Cork County Council, one of the largest local authorities in the State with 48 seats, has been controlled for the past 13 years by a Fine Gael-Labour alliance.
Candidates are being confronted with a wide variety of issues on the doorsteps from roads to waste management.
Although county council members voted against planning permission for the Indaver incinerator at Ringaskiddy, An Bord Pleanála overturned that decision, and this is sure to be an issue in south Cork, as will the planned landfill at Bottlehill in north Cork.
Given that most local Fianna Fáil candidates (the Progressive Democrats have no members on the council) have opposed both proposals, opposition parties are unlikely to be able to capitalise. They may make more headway with the health issue, especially in towns like Mallow and Bantry, where fears have been raised about local hospitals.
A total of 102 candidates are contesting 48 seats. Fine Gael - which has the largest representation on the council with 22 councillors - is running 31 candidates, with Fianna Fáil, which has 19 seats on the outgoing council, running 28 candidates.
Labour, with just four seats on the outgoing council, is running 13 candidates. Sinn Féin and the Greens are fielding seven and 10 candidates respectively.
The Progressive Democrats, who won a seat in 1999 through Mr Peter Kelly, who later defected to Fine Gael, are fielding two candidates, Mr Michael Burns in Blarney and Ms Maggie Egerton in Fermoy, while there are 11 independents running.
In Mallow, Labour's Mr Sean Sherlock should be safe, while Fianna Fáil's Cllr Dan Joe Fitzgerald also looks well placed.
Fine Gael's Mr Noel O'Connor, who was co-opted to replace Mr Paul Bradford, is set to poll well.
Fine Gael's Cllr Tommy Sheahan should be in the hunt for the final seat, with Fianna Fáil's Cllr David Willis hoping to be ahead of party colleague Mr Jim Hogan on the first count to mount a challenge to Mr Sheahan.
In Fermoy, Fianna Fáilers Mr Kevin O'Keeffe and Mr Frank O'Flynn should comfortably hold their seats, as should Fine Gael's Ms Aileen Pyne.
If Mitchelstown publican Mr Timmy White takes the final seat for Sinn Féin it will be by pipping Mr Liam O'Doherty (FG).
Fine Gael enjoys a 3-2 advantage over Fianna Fáil in Kanturk. Fine Gael is running four candidates here, and Cllr Patrick Buckley from Banteer is expected to poll well, as will first-time candidate Ms Marian Murphy.
Cllr Michael Donegan (FF) has a clear run in Charleville, while Ms Marie Murphy from Millstreet should hold her seat. Labour's Mr Denis Cremin is reportedly the stronger of the party's two candidates to battle FF and FG for the last of Kanturk's five seats.
In Macroom, Mr Michael Creed should win, and his surplus may bring in Cllr Frank Metcalfe.
Mr Aindrias Moynihan (FF) has been co-opted to replace his TD father and could take the second seat, with Cllr Metcalfe, Mr Pat O'Connell (FF) and Labour's Mr Martin Coughlan vying for the last.
In Blarney, sitting councillors Mr Tomas Ryan and Mr Gerry Kelly of Fine Gael and Mr Dan Fleming of Fianna Fáil should be returned. The fourth seat may be between Mr Tom Joyce (FF) and Labour's Mr John Gilroy.
Midleton, with six seats, will be hotly contested. Independent Cllr Noel Collins and Labour's Mr John Mulvihill should take the first two seats, with Fianna Fáil's Mr Maurice Ahern and Fine Gael's Mr Michael Hegarty in the shake-up for the next two.
Sinn Féin's Mr Martin Hallihan is a strong contender for a seat, while Cllr Art Supple (FF) and Independent Cllr Ted Murphy are fighting hard to retain seats.
In Carrigaline, Cllr Peter Kelly and Cllr Derry Canty should be re-elected for Fine Gael, along with Fianna Fáil's first-timer, Mr Mark O'Keeffe.
Carrigaline could prove itself a real dog-fight with veteran Fianna Fáiler Cllr Barry Cogan, FF newcomer Mr Michael McGrath, Fine Gael's Cllr Tim Lombard and Mr John Collins all vying with Labour's Cllr Paula Desmond. Fianna Fáil's Ms Deirdre Forde should retain her seat.
The Ringaskiddy incinerator controversy may help Mr Dominick Donnelly, but it remains to be seen if he can make the breakthrough for the Greens.
In West Cork, Fine Gael's Mr Kevin Murphy looks certain to hold his seat in Bandon, and may be joined by Ms Veronica Neville. Fianna Fáil will be fighting hard to hold its two seats.
In Skibbereen, Sinn Féin's Mr Cionnaith O'Suilleabhainn looks like he has a chance, particularly as Labour is running two candidates. Fine Gael holds three seats and is running five candidates.
Mayor of Cork County Cllr Tadhg O'Donovan and Ms Maura Cal McCarthy should be safe, as should Fianna Fáil's Mr Donal O'Rourke from Clonakilty. Outgoing Independent Cllr Christy O'Sullivan should also poll well.
In Bantry, Fine Gael's Mr P.J. Sheehan is expected to hold his seat, as will party colleague Mr Noel Harrington. Ms Vivian O'Callaghan should hold on, as should fellow Fianna Fáiler Cllr Donal Casey. Labour is hoping Mr Eddie Mullins may prove a dark horse, but a more likely contender is Ms Anne O'Leary (SF).