On the doorsteps of Cork North West
IT’S one thing hear in the media, or simply second hand, what the issues in a general election are, and it’s another thing to encounter them first hand on the doorsteps.
The Corkman asked first time candidate Tara Nic Domhnaill of the Irish Freedom Party what she’s been met with on the doorsteps of Cork North West. Of course, as she brings the message of the Irish Freedom Party (IFP) it’s, perhaps, not surprising that the feedback is along the lines of their policies. Nic Domhnaill said the high percentage of imported food and the lack of an indigenous market has cropped up – certainly IFP issues - and “the fake ‘Board Bia approved’ meat and vegetables that are undercutting Irish reared meat and locally grown produce”.
“The unjust cross compliance inspections, and a very real worry among the farmers I spoke to that farming may become a thing of the past in the near future,” said Nic Domhnaill. The lack of rights fathers are legally afforded was a contentious issue among some men she spoke with. “Issues of access, Tusla’s inaction, and an unjust taxation system for unmarried fathers were among some of the complaints made,” she said. “The rise in crime and antibehaviour is causing serious concern and the lack of Garda resources is allowing the issue to escalate.” Housing and homelessness was playing on people’s minds also. “Parents expressed fears that their children would never be able to afford to buy their own homes,” said Tara. “They are worried because of how unaffordable the cost of living is on an average wage and the worsening pressure on our housing sector. “One common thread through all of these conversations was the lack of accountability in our government and their agencies. This has led to rife corruption and injustices all across the nation; as well as their unwillingness or inability to deal with any of the crises facing our nation right now.”
The Irish Freedom Party has been described as a rightwing, hard Eurosceptic party, launched in September 2018, that advocates an Irish withdrawal from the European Union. So what issues are Tara Nic Domhnaill bringing to the homes of Mhuscrai and Duhallow?
“I will be focusing on promoting the idea of shopping locally and building an indigenous market for the superb quality of meat and produce that we are capable of raising and growing in Ireland,” she said. “I am in favour of citizens’ initiated referenda and of a recall system being put in place; both of which will allow us to hold our public representatives to account.” Encouraging GP’s and health nurses to move to rural areas and improving access to emergency services are priorities for Nic Domhnaill, as are other public services like Gardaí, post offices and schools. “Parental rights are a big issue, especially among men who feel they are treated harshly when it comes to access to their children,” said Tara. “They feel that both the legal and tax system discriminates against them, particularly unmarried fathers.
“The Irish Freedom party are the party of lower taxes so we will reduce the cost of raising a family.” With almost 4,000 vacant homes recorded in the last census in Cork North West alone, Nic Domhnaill says we need to secure a tax incentive for renovations to open up these homes to families.
“Our government needs to start prioritising and dealing with the issues that are affecting the daily lives of the people of Cork North West and of the whole nation,” said Nic Domhnaill. “I will be a voice for all of my constituents and ensure that these things are done, if I get elected.”