Donegal general election - Pádraig Mac Lochlainn - Sinn Féin

Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn previously served as a TD for Donegal North East from 2011 to 2016 and as a Senator from 2016 to 2020.

He is the Sinn Féin Chief whip and spokesperson on fisheries and the marine and previously served as Sinn Féin's spokesperson on foreign affairs and justice, equality and defence.

He has an extensive CV in terms of time served in the Dáil including time spent as the chairperson of the Oireachtas public services oversight and petitions committee from 2013 to 2016.

Prior to being elected to the Dáil in February 2011, he had also served for many years on Donegal County Council and Buncrana Town Council and in the 2004 and 2009 local elections, he was elected to represent the people of Inishowen on Donegal County Council.Prior to serving as a public representative, he was a community activist and campaigner, locally and nationally.

He also acted as the Donegal spokesperson for the Irish National Organisation of the Unemployed (INOU) from 1997 to 2001 and served on the INOU National Executive from 1997 until 2000 as well as representing the organisation on the National Rural Development Forum. He was appointed to the board of InterTradeIreland, the Trade and Business Development Body in December 2007 and served on the board up until March 2011. 

Speaking on his decision to stand for the upcoming general election, Deputy Mac Lochlainn said: "I am running for election because I believe that there needs to be a change of government so that the needs of the people of Donegal can be addressed.

“A Sinn Féin government can deliver the positive change that Donegal needs including 100% redress for the thousands of victims of the defective concrete products scandal, and for housing, health services, childcare services and the cost of living challenges.”

When asked what the Deputy will do should he be re-elected, he said: “I will continue to work night and day to improve the lives of the people of Donegal.”