Tánaiste Micheál Martin, during a speech at Fianna Fáil’s local election campaign launch in Dublin, expressed confidence that the party is well placed to maintain the majority of its local authority seats in the imminent local elections. This is despite the current opinion polls showing Fianna Fáil lagging behind Fine Gael and Sinn Féin.
Fianna Fáil is presently the most significant institution in local government, putting forward 365 candidates across the country. The party was victorious in bagging 279 seats in 2019 and also topped the tally in the 2014 local elections.
In response to speculations that Fianna Fáil might forfeit its dominant role in local government, Mr. Martin reminisces about the party’s accomplishment in 2014. He indicated that notwithstanding anticipations of a poor output for the party after initial counts, Fianna Fáil suddenly emerged as the largest party. He also admitted that the contest will present a challenge as their previous score was 27 per cent but stated that they have managed to surpass predictions in previous elections.
Understanding that polling at local and general elections varies, due to personal factors supplementing party votes, Mr. Martin stated his belief that the party stands a fair chance of keeping the majority of their current seats. When queried about the potential loss of seats, he stressed his resistance to such a prediction. Instead, he pointed to his effort to engage vigorously, with an aim to not only retain current seats but also acquire additional seats.
Mr. Martin emphasised that housing remains a high priority for Fianna Fáil, with the party committed to preserving and expanding the Help-to-Buy programme and implementing other measures such as grants for refurbishing empty and dilapidated homes. The party’s manifesto also proposes empowering local authorities to evict occupants for severe anti-social behaviour and enforce essential property maintenance standards.
The manifesto expresses a dedication “towards supporting social and low-cost housing projects.” Mr Martin indicted the political adversaries of housing initiatives, such as the ones proposed at O’Devaney Gardens in Dublin 7 and Oscar Traynor Road in Coolock, for opposing based on “ideological grounds.”
He refuted assertions that individuals from all parties, including his, have obstructed housing initiatives. Mr Martin stated, “Despite the ongoing housing calamity, we are devoted to people not resisting housing plans. People might desire to alter certain blueprints and such, which is valid, but not decrying the whole project itself.”
Fianna Fáil’s manifesto also pledges to “construct safer municipalities”, which includes the implementation of a specialized police unit for public transportation and increasing funding for crime prevention officers to back neighborhood surveillance groups.
The manifesto notes that the party will support a “brighter streets” initiative to enhance public lights across all local councils and will establish a coastal erosion fund in regions grappling with the issue.
Fianna Fáil is also hoping to reestablish the previously dissolved town councils for areas with a population of 7,500 or more. The manifesto suggests turning the yearly Culture Night into a quarterly happening.