A group of teenagers spotted Micheál Martin, the Tánaiste and members of the Fianna Fáil party, strolling down Main Street in Swords, Dublin. They were there ahead of the local elections, scheduled for Friday, conducting neighbourhood canvassing. Housing Minister, Darragh O’Brien, Barry Andrews, an MEP, and local councillors, Brigid Manton and Darragh Butler, accompanied Martin.
Butler shared that they have generally received positive feedback, albeit the pace might be somewhat slower due to residents wishing to chat with the Tánaiste and the Minister. Referring to an incident outside a local pharmacy, he mentioned a woman voicing out her hopes for more affordable housing, a concern that Butler identified as a key issue.
Despite the progress made, Butler admitted achieving their housing goals would realistically take another half a decade, maybe even a decade. He also touched on Metrolink and the planned cultural quarter in Swords providing a new library and theatre as local points of concern for residents.
Optimistically, he predicted these developments would be a significant boost for Swords’ growth. Conversely, a native named Kelly expressed her reluctance to vote for Fianna Fáil due to dissatisfaction with current housing circumstances. She remarked she’d been reconsidering her earlier preference to vote for Sinn Féin as well.
Despite criticism on housing matters, Butler viewed their campaigning to be generally favourable up to date. Topics like cycling lanes had been brought up, along with national issues like housing. However, Andrews noted that European issues were not frequently raised.
The increased engagement of citizens in state affairs isn’t an uncommon occurrence among member nations; in fact, it’s becoming the norm, as exhibited by the 2019 election campaign. As an incumbent MEP candidate, knowing the complex issues at hand gives an edge. However, rising tension in the political landscape, especially for younger and female candidates, is concerning due to the intimidating hostility they face. Even though Andrews hasn’t personally encountered such hostility, he emphasises the need for action to address this issue to ensure potential candidates aren’t discouraged from future political participation.
Voters have also been expressing concerns over the housing and immigration issues, although the latter has not been as prominent as anticipated during the interaction at the doors. This situation is perhaps a result of the extended ten-year timeline to establish a migration asylum pact in Europe. As Andrews points out, the delay in implementing the pact has made immigration seem like a resolved issue for many. The attention now is on the implementation at a national level after the European Parliament gave a nod to a new policy aiming to strengthen the bloc’s borders after years of stalemate.
During their canvassing of local establishments, such as the gym, a barbershop, and an Asian eatery, party members frequently called in at the Pomodorino pizza restaurant. Owner Maria Cinelli’s primary concern revolves around the support of local businesses for the upcoming vote. Housing and public safety are other major factors influencing her undecided vote.
An Irish by birth to Italian immigrants who moved here in the 1950s, Cinelli has always been a Northside resident and recently became a homeowner in Swords. The issue for her though is despite politicians visiting her establishment and her home, she isn’t feeling heard. She remarks that all their endeavors are currently focused on keeping the business afloat amidst soaring VAT rates, absence of grants, increased cost of living, and all other challenges of a financial crush.
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