The local elections are set to take place on 7 June next and the candidates are already on the campaign trail. RTÉ News asked a number of them what the biggest issues on the ground were? What had changed most since the last council elections in 2019? And what song, film or book inspires them as they prepare to face the electorate?
What are the three biggest issues in this election campaign?
Saša Novak Uí Chonchúir. Green Party. Limerick City North
“The two biggest issues that are coming up on the doors are understandably health and housing. The third is a mixed bag of very specific local issues which range from improving bus services to fixing footpaths to improving the local green areas to getting grant applications for people with disabilities or older people.”
Clare Claffey. Social Democrats. Birr, Co Offaly
“Health – the biggest issues are travelling for healthcare, waiting up to two weeks to see a GP and the delay in getting a Primary Care Centre in Birr.
“Housing and the lack of affordable homes and local authority houses. There is very limited rental accommodation leading to an increase in hidden homelessness in the county, people are living with families and friends, returning home to live in their childhood bedrooms.
“Just transition – The closure of Shannonbridge power station and the briquette factory with the loss of jobs.
“We have a very high percentage of households that use only solid fuel as their heat source and they worry that the burning of turf will be banned.”
Jim Codd. Aontú. Rosslare LEA. Wexford.
“The three biggest issues I’m finding on the doors are the lack of housing. This is such a broad issue from the farmer’s daughter not being able to get planning permission on the half acre he’s put away for her, to the family living out of their car because the landlord sold the house they were renting and they’re now priced out of the rental market. Young people tell me they no longer believe that home ownership is attainable.
“Lack of road infrastructure – Rural roads have been neglected for years. The pothole may seem like a cliché of local politics, but it is a daily peril for drivers in my community.
“Death of rural Ireland – Five years ago I was well aware of the erosion of rural communities during the election campaign. The closure of businesses and loss of life in little villages was evident and has only grown worse since despite our best efforts. Central government needs to take the cries of rural representatives seriously before it is too late.”
Ruth Coppinger. Socialist Party. Blanchardstown-Mulhuddart. Dublin
“Housing, emigration and services stretched to the limit (education, health etc.) are three key issues.
“The suffering being created by the housing crisis permeates everything: a trainee nurse I met on a canvass said ‘there will be no young people over 23 in this area anymore, young Carpenterstown is in Australia now’ — they’re going as soon as they finish college. What an indictment.”
Deirdre Ferris. Sinn Féin. Tralee, Kerry
“For me the biggest issues on the campaign are local issues – road conditions, housing, local services (Uisce Éireann) and personal issues. National issues that come up include major rent increases, lack of rental properties, health and mental health services.”
Deirdre Forde. Fine Gael. Cork City South-East.
“Housing, law and order and public services.
“We need more affordable and more modular homes along with quicker action around vacant and derelict property. Planning delays are impacting delivery. There is a need for more community gardaí and a designated detention centre. Reactivate cells in the Bridewell. Repurpose Old Cork Prison. Eliminate begging. Electronic speeding detection is needed.
“There should be a city-wide audit of footpaths and funding for repairs should be provided by the Department. There must be a focus on Mental Health Services and suitable housing for those suffering with addictions.”
Declan Geraghty. Independent Ireland Party. Ballinasloe. Galway
“EU regulations around agriculture, local authority rates and high insurance costs for businesses which they cannot sustain, and housing. This includes the high cost of renting a home, planning difficulties and the soaring costs for people wanting to build a house.
“This is leading to a huge number of young people emigrating to Australia. People are worried about rural crime and there are problems with the underfunding of local improvement schemes. There are fears creeping in about single male asylum seekers being housed in small communities.”
Felim Gurn. Independent. Manorhamilton. Leitrim.
“The biggest issues which need to be addressed are housing, health and emigration.
“Firstly, housing within rural towns, as there is lack of social houses and no building taking place.
“Secondly health, there are huge backlogs within the HSE, even waiting times to see local GPs, also suicide rates have gone through the roof in rural Ireland and nobody is addressing this.
“Lastly, emigration among young people due to high building costs and the cost of living. People are being forced to move abroad, with better standards of living in Australia and Canada.”
Dermot Lacey. Labour. Pembroke. Dublin
“Housing, safety, planning and where does our Local Property Tax go?”
Hazel de Nortúin. People Before Profit. Ballyfermot. Dublin
“The biggest issue by far is housing. This is in different formations, so in general, not having enough social housing, turning the large number of vacant social homes around and Traveller accommodation.
“We’ve the oldest Traveller site in the country in Ballyfermot and it’s down for redevelopment. This is a continuous battle.
“Also, Busconnects altering the landscape via the Liffey Valley to City Centre route and finally- (ensuring there are) enough resources and infrastructure for all the major developments planned along the Luas line.”
Fintan Phelan. Fianna Fáil. Carlow
“Housing remains a significant challenge, there are very few properties for people to rent and people are finding it difficult to get a foot hold on the housing ladder.
“We recently launched an affordable housing scheme in Carlow which has generated a lot of interest, the Croí Cónaithe Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant for derelict properties is likewise sparking interest and hopefully it will begin to tackle vacant and derelict properties.
“Access to disability services in this area is very problematic. Families are waiting for years to get their children assessed for services and the CDNT team in Carlow has many vacant posts.
“I see the impact this is having on families and children who are amongst the most vulnerable in our community. There needs to be a total overhaul of the CDNT structure as it is simply not fit for purpose and is failing children with disabilities.
“They say all politics is local, and naturally in a local election road safety, public lighting and street cleaning services are all raised on the doors.
What has changed most in your area since 2019?
Saša Novak Uí Chonchúir: “A lot has changed in Limerick for the better. There is the new public realm on O’Connell Street, which despite a long snag list is a step in the right direction.
“We have a new team of professionals designing and installing new cycle lanes, improving safety for kids around schools and making the city in general a safer environment when it comes to traffic safety. As a consequence of restrictions during Covid-19 and having Greens in Government there has been an increased focus and improved funding for underutilised green spaces.
“New paths in parks, tree planting, seating areas and new lighting make these spaces green oases in the middle of the city. New housing estates have sprung up everywhere and hundreds of new jobs have been announced. Many challenges remain but with energetic and hardworking people on the Council I believe the future for Limerick is bright.”
Clare Claffey: “The biggest change in my area is the lack of rental accommodation. During the last local elections this wasn’t an issue.”
Jim Codd: “I think voter apathy has increased certainly and, much more alarmingly, there is a growing sense of rage against all facets of authority.
“The people rightfully feel let down. This is leading to a growth in radicalised extreme views and an attempt to play ‘them against us’ politics by some opportunist political figures.”
Ruth Coppinger: “Many things are the same but the pandemic has had an impact – closed down shops, cafés and bars and on mental health, especially of young people.”
Deirdre Ferris: “The biggest change in my area since I went into council in 2020 has been rent increases, notices to quit, and the lack of available rental properties.”
Deirdre Forde: “Traffic and infrastructure. The biggest changes have included the N28 project, the Marina Park development along with the Mahon to Passage Greenway and the Vernon Mount Bridge and greenway.”
Declan Geraghty: “The number of young people who left for Australia. You look around the marts and they are not there anymore. Also, the closure of bars and other businesses since the pandemic.
“A way of life has changed, and older men who would go to the local bar for a drink a few nights a week now have nowhere to go.”
Felim Gurn: “The arrival of new people into rural towns seeking job opportunities as Irish people won’t take the jobs locally. Established businesses are closing daily because of increased operating costs like VAT, the minimum wage, insurance, and rates.”
Dermot Lacey: “Huge new inappropriate developments with a concurrent drop in services.”
Hazel de Nortúin: “The largest change I can recall would be the level of Build to Rent/Strategic Housing Developments versus the (delivery of) community centres/schools/senior citizens’ resources/crèches/doctors. There’s a major drop in various services in comparison to the level of new units being built.”
Fintan Phelan: “Since 2019 I’ve noticed a lot of people, including many of my own friends and family, who have moved back to Carlow from Dublin or elsewhere post Covid-19.
“Despite the challenges, the cost of living is less, the cost of purchasing a home is less and we have great transport links with Dublin. This growing population has meant there is a vibrancy to our town, that is reflected in the success of our new town bus service, our new e-bike scheme, our new covered public events space, the Exchange, and the continued expansion of our new University the South East Technological University.
What film, book or song does this campaign most resemble?
Saša Novak Uí Chonchúir: “I’ve been listening to Hozier’s new album a lot in the last year and my own personal campaign song for this election is the song from his latest album that he sings with Brandi Carlile called Damage Gets Done. It’s an upbeat song, a song of nostalgia, and a song of hope and ambition for the future.”
Clare Claffey: “Never Give Up, by Sia. I have an election playlist on Spotify that keeps me motivated. Being a councillor can get tough at times, especially during a campaign and this song reminds me to keep going and not to give up.”
Jim Codd: “Catch 22. A seemingly liberal coalition government oversees the worse housing crisis the State has ever known while spending vast amounts of taxpayers money on ill-advised publicity referendums. Children sleep on the streets while tax windfalls are stored away for the ‘rainy-day’. Fianna Fail, Fine Gael and the Greens are thinking about buying an umbrella while the monsoon comes down all around them. You couldn’t make it up!
Ruth Coppinger: “I Love You by Fontaines DC. A powerful commentary on the state of Ireland, corruption and corporate greed.”
Deirdre Ferris: “A song that represents my campaign so far is The Flood by Take That – because it hasn’t stopped raining and hampering my canvass!”
Deirdre Forde: “An oldie – Donna Summer’s She Works Hard for the Money.”
Declan Geraghty: “John Healy’s book No One Shouted Stop. John B Keane’s The Field. Mick Blake’s song about Leitrim and the Saw Doctors’ N17.”
Felim Gurn: “Don’t Stop Believin’ by Journey is a great song that says things can only get better.”
Dermot Lacey: “My quick answer is Help. Help the public and media understand our appalling system. Help campaign to reform that system and Help me beat the 4% my Party stands on in the polls.”
Hazel de Nortúin: “I did make a comparison to Christ Stopped at Labre Park the other day when I had a site visit. Residents with no sanitation, safe accommodation (major fire safety with electrics) and the value of life is seriously reduced because of State policy. I’m referencing Christ Stopped at Eboli, of course.”
Fintan Phelan: “The Fighter by Gym Class Heroes – There is no doubt this election is going to be the most challenging election I’ve faced to date, it will come down to every single vote but we won’t stop until the final bell!”
