Health, housing & homelessness the key issues at doors

POLITICAL observers believe the election will be fought on three main issues - housing, homelessness and health and it appears they are on the right track because these three key issues were raised repeatedly on the doorsteps in Listowel on Saturday.

The Kerryman followed Sinn Fein’s Pa Daly on the campaign trail in North Kerry to see how voters feel about the forthcoming general election.

The canvas started in Feale Drive led by the local councillor Tom Barry. Key to any good campaign is knowing your voters and local knowledge is key.

With the electoral register in hand it is hoped you won’t get too many surprises at the doorstep and the hard work of the party’s councillor is vital to the campaign - probably in fact more so than the candidate themselves.

Feale drive would be considered a strong-hold of the party and given the anti-government sentiment on the door this was evident, in Feale Drive and later Ballygologue Park.

“Sure they would do nothing for you,” said one home-owner.

Housing was a key concern by many voters not just in Kerry but nationally with outrage at the homeless situation foremost in the minds of voters.

They say that all politics is local and this is more than true when it comes to the canvas with rent and housing issues in Listowel high on the agenda.

Concerns were raised about empty houses in Listowel and the length of time it takes to get a housing stock back in the rental market while Kerry County Council came under fire for the condition of many of their houses with Sinn Fein’s Pa Daly invited in to look at the condition of a few houses. The lack of social housing is a very real concern for many voters.

“I’m looking for a house for my son. He is on the list for five or six years and he is living in a shed at the back for his father’s house.

“My daughter is living in Ballybunion but not suitable. She has HAP which is grand but she is so far away no houses to rent in Listowel or anything. She was living with me but we are overcrowded.”

A forthcoming election defiinitely concentrates the mind when it comes to issues and for many voters it is their opportunity to raise their problems in a bid to get them fixed. The main ones critical of the local authority and their lack of support to council tenants.

The health crisis also featured high on the agenda and fears of long delays in University Hospital Kerry and disabiility concerns.

“We have to fight for everything,” said one mother.

Homelesesness and crime were also discussed. One man branded the drug gangs as ‘terrorists’.

“They are terrorists. ISIS wouldn’t do what they did.”

What stood out about the canvass was the level of engagement with the candidate, whether this was because it is a Sinn Fein stronghold or because Kerry voters take their election seriously is unknown but voters were more certainly not going to let the opportunity pass to have their say.

Brexit, the pension age and crime also came up for discussion.

“I have been working very hard all my life and now they want to change it.”

What was clear is that Cllr Pa Daly has big shoes to fill with the current sitting party TD Martin Ferris clearly still on the minds of many. In fact some did not know the TD was even retiring from politics.

On the doorsteps Sinn Fein are asking for a change but in reality the chances of the party getting into Government is more than slim given that Fianna Fail and Fine Gael have ruled out an alliance with the party.

“It is time for a change and to keep a republican voice in Government,” is Cllr Daly’s slogan and a change is definitely without voters in Feale Drive and Ballygoluge Park want.

However, like any campaign trail, there was a few votes who were critical of the party - one criticism was the party’s refusal to take up their seats in Westminister.

Voters also wondered what Sinn Fein would do different to the other parties

“Give us a chance,” is the response and most were more than willing to do so given the promises of the number 1 vote in many houses but of course that may not always translate on the day.

“I’ve been working hard all my life and now they want to raise the pension age?”

Photos by John Kelliher ABOVE and BELOW: Locals informing Sinn Féin candidate Pa Daly of the issues facing residents in the Feale Drive estate as The Kerryman accompanies him on the hustings.

SF Cllr Tom Barry taking the pulse locally on the canvass for his colleague Pa Daly.

Photos by John Kelliher If dogs could vote it looks like Sinn Féin candidate Pa Daly would have this one in the bag, on the canvass in Listowel on Saturday.