A proposal for the development of New Ross has been published by Sinn FΘin, which says it will be fighting for the fifth seat in Wexford in next year's general election.
The party's vice-president, Mr Pat Doherty, visited the constituency last week to launch the blueprint with its Wexford candidate, Mr John Dwyer, who is a member of New Ross Urban District Council.
With Fine Gael having lost two high-profile candidates - the retiring Mr Ivan Yates and Ms Avril Doyle, who is now an MEP - the growing prominence of Sinn FΘin and a likely anti-incineration candidate will make the contest in Wexford markedly different than that of previous campaigns.
Labour deputy leader Mr Brendan Howlin, Fianna Fβil's Mr Hugh Byrne and Mr John Browne, and Mr Michael D'Arcy of Fine Gael will all be attempting to retain their seats.
Mr Dwyer claims his party's blueprint for New Ross "lays down a challenge" to the other political parties and shows that Sinn FΘin is "leading the way" in the town.
The 41-page document says New Ross, sitting on the Wexford-Kilkenny border, has been neglected by both counties. It calls for an outward extension of the area administered by New Ross UDC.
"It is not fair to a town which is on a county boundary not to be able to liaise and bargain with each of the neighbouring counties in such a way that the town can develop its own plans and not have two differing approaches from the two counties imposed on it," it says.
The town, it adds, has changed over the past century from being "a bustling market town" and inland port, renowned for having over 100 pubs, to "a somewhat sleepy, minor industry and retail-based town with little sparkle to offer".
"New Ross has a large young adult population, few major employers, poor public transport provision and a relatively low per capita income".
Lack of "decent public transport", inadequate childcare facilities and the fact there is only one post office are also identified as deficits.
However, New Ross has "reasonable" amenities, including a hospital which could be upgraded, a swimming pool, a public library and an unusual variety of sports clubs and facilities, the blueprint says.
Measures proposed include the development of sustainable industries, two marinas, an arts centre, a specialist third-level education campus and a decentralised Government department.
It also proposes the promotion of New Ross as a tourism venue.
The document, said Mr Dwyer at its launch, was a "creative and positive approach" to the problems facing the town.