What are the key Kerry issues?
TUESDAY’S TG4 Ipsos MRBI Poll also shines a light on some of the main issues driving voters’ decisions in Kerry.
The poll placed a major emphasis on the economy and rural isolation.
In terms of the economy the pollsters asked respondents if they felt the benefits of Ireland’s improving economy had been felt in Kerry.
In all 56 per cent said they believed Kerry had not benefited from the recovery with just 42 per cent saying thing have improved in the county.
When it came to rural isolation an overwhelming 95 per cent said it was a worry with 59 per cent describing it as ‘very concerning.’
The poll then asked respondents what the Government can do to tackle the problem.
Improving transport and generating more jobs were the clear favourite with 43 per cent saying they would like to see better transport options in the county and 15 per cent calling for more jobs and employment opportunities in the county.
It is interesting to note – in spite of the frequent focus on the issue when rural isolation is discussed – barely anyone referred to laws clamping down on drink driving.
Just one per cent of respondents said that the Government should change drink driving laws to help tackle rural isolation.
Respondents were also asked if current drink driving laws were ‘about right, too restrictive or not restrictive enough.
59 per cent of respondents said that they were about right while 13 per cent said they should be increased.
As an interesting aside the pollsters also noted that 45 per cent of Danny Healy-Rae voters found the existing laws ‘about right’ while 15 per cent said they were ‘not restrictive enough.