Cork North West Constituency

The issues of the day

HARDENED politicians and hacks will always say ‘every election is local’ yet a national tide of discontent hit Fine Gael, and others, hard in 2016.

Meanwhile, with the cities resurgent post-recession many rural areas have lagged behind, bitterly so, and this election has thrown up its own raft of issues many didn’t see coming; pensions and retirement age, for example.

Let’s look at some of the big issues, and how they might affect the vote in Cork NW:

HEALTH

With Cork City hospitals having some of the worst ‘ trolley queues’ in the country this is a big issue, especially if you are from an area far from any of the main hospitals and there’s a shortage of GP’s. Equally, areas where basic services are perceived as poor – Ballyvourney area, for example – could see a backlash against FG.

On the other hand, Creed and O’Shea can point to, finally, some concrete efforts on the hospitals in Macroom, Millstreet and Kanturk, and a new health centre in Newmarket.

HOUSING

Homelessness is not an issue in Cork NW but housing and rents are, which will be especially true in the battleground town of Ballincollig. FG can expect a hit on this issue, with potential gains for others, but less so in more rural areas.

JOBS

With unemployment across the area at its lowest point since 2007 this would seem a potential vote-getter for FG candidates – but many will be travelling long distances to work, and that’s where the feelgood factor may wear off quickly. Quality of jobs is also an issue, with low pay, for many, having an impact on accommodation costs, travel costs/car insurance, childcare etc.

While FG can certainly point to employment rates, many will trip them up on associated issues.

AGRI SECTOR

The agri sector is not just about farmers, it’s also about the towns, villages and businesses interacting with them – and it’s a big issue here. And a tricky one of agri minister Creed. He’s been handing out tens of millions of euro but many farmers are very discontented – with beef prices, overall income levels, and now feeling battered by the green agenda. All-in-all he shouldn’t come out too badly on this, but opposition candidates will literally make hay on agriculture and could stand to gain.

ENVIRONMENT

A big issue nationally, this is hard to call in Cork NW. Certainly, the Greens will make gains on the back of the environmental crisis, but voters in areas with windmills winking at them may have other issues foremost. Again, expect this to be a bigger issue in Ballincollig than more rural areas, but votes will be greener this time round.

SECURITY & CRIME

A big issue, people are still smarting from the closure of rural Garda stations (and post offices, banks etc), and this is another area where opposition candidates will hammer FG. Hit and run raiders, burglaries and anti-social behaviour all add to the pain so watch out Creed and O’Shea.

PROMISES PROMISES

Promises and election issue? People get weary, and wary, and this election has already been branded a return to ‘auction politics’ - and all the larger parties have gone into promises overdrive. In Cork NW this bodes well for the smaller parties and independents, who can come across as ‘closer to the real issues’