She said workers are under-represented on the city council when compared to businesses, and "city council should look like the people who live and work and commute in the city".

She only registered to vote herself in January. not being of age to vote in the last elections, explaining: "I only registered because it was suggested to me to run. I met councillor Lorna Bogue at an event for Palestine and she asked would I be her running mate." Ms Bogue encouraged her to register, she said. "A city is for living in. not just for setting up businesses. People need to be able to live here too," she said, explaining that, if elected, her priorities would be public transport; dereliction and vacancy; access to safe, clean water; and accessibility of public walkways and areas for people in wheelchairs or with prams.

"Improving the bus services and their reliability would be important for me. The 208 was recently labelled one of worst bus services in Cork.

"Water is a big problem, around the South Douglas Road there has been quite significant issues the last 18 months or so. and accountability is needed. There's not enough scrutiny applied to the patchwork jobs being done, and we are talking about people's health here."

She has also signed up to Family Carers Ireland's local election manifesto, which asks candidates to make 10 pledges to support family carers in their region.

She has been out canvassing already. and said the reception has been extremely positive, adding: "I think there's a perception online that the big Issue for voters Is immigration, but it's been brought up twice out of over 1000 households.

"The most popular issues coming upon doors are the provision of care for elderly people, autism classes. special needs schools. and creche places." She concluded: "A lot of the time in Europe workers' parties don't typically engage with electoral politics. but a vote for the Workers' Party isn't a wasted vote —there's going to be the same amount of councillors either way, do you want one to be a voice for you. or a voice for the bankers?"


YOUNG WOMEN IN POLITICS

Rabharta party leader and Cork South-East councillor Lorna Bogue, Ms Hurley's running mate in the Cork City South-East constituency, told The Echo: "I want to really support young women in running for election rather than paying lip service to that ideal. "We are from different parties, Rachel is running for the Workers' Party which I have been working with on council throughout my term. "I think we are closely aligned politically — we are on the side of workers. carers, and people with disabilities.

"Rachel is such a committed community activist as well as somebody who can really hold the council executive to account, so I am proud to support such an excellent candidate."