GE2024... Who else is on the ballot paper in Meath East?

Former Fine Gael county councillor, Charles Bobbett is running as in Independent candidate in Meath East.

An Ashbourne based teacher, Bobbett was a Fine Gael member of Meath County Council from 2004 to 2009 and unsuccessfully stood for election an independent candidate in the Ashbourne area last June.

From a well known farming background, he was a member of The Citizens' Assembly on Biodiversity Loss which made recommendations to the government. His late father, Pat, was a prominent figure in the IFA at both county and national level.

When Charles Bobbett was a councillor, he represented the old Dunshaughlin area which also took in Ashbourne, Ratoath and Dunboyne.

"I was involved in the drawing up of development plans and local area plans. I believe in strong but sustainable development, so that people don't have to get into their cars and leave the county to go t work each day."

Mr Bobbett explains that he is running as an independent he found that when you are involved in a political party your voice can be lost. "As an Independent I wont be constrained in making my personal views known," he says.

Among the issues he is concerned about is airport noise, and he believes that a second airport is needed in the Dublin hinterland. The need for the Slane By-pass and to sort out the traffic chaos at Primatestown are also at the top of his agenda as well as the shortage of housing.

Meanwhile Carolyn Fahy, a candidate for the Animal Welfare Party from Batterstown and wants to address human and animal rights. She also wants to focus on the cost of living and homelessness, if elected.

Independent candidate Raymond Westlake is a retired HSE Clinical Scientist and a former member of the Permanent Defence Force (PDF), providing him with substantial experience in medical and environmental sciences.

Westlake was an unsuccessful candidate in the local elections in June for the Independent Ireland Party. He is committed to applying his knowledge and skills to enhance the welfare of communities and focusing on sustainable environmental practices and public health initiatives.

Ratoath woman, Jean Murray , who is running for The National Party says she wants to "protect Ireland's heritage, culture and Christian ethos. "

Murray ran in the local elections in June for the Ratoath area.

Meanwhile Ashbourne based Barbara Reid is running as a general election candidate for the Liberty Republic Party.