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SUPPORT FOR SINN Féin is strongest among voters who live in local authority rented accommodation, private rented accommodation and those that live at home with their parents.
In comparison, support for Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil is strongest among voters who own their home outright or who have a mortgage.
The results from the latest The Journal/Ireland Thinks European Elections series reveals just how much people’s tenure tells us about how people vote and also gives an insight into where political parties position themselves in the housing debate.
The poll reveals that of those that live in local authority rented houses, 50% said they would vote Sinn Féin in the European elections, while 27% of those living in private rental accommodation said they would give the party their vote.
Of those living at home with their parents, 37% said they would vote for Mary Lou McDonald’s party in the upcoming European elections.
Of those that own their own property outright, 16% said they support Sinn Féin, while those that have a mortgage, 23% said they would back the party.
Turning to the new Taoiseach Simon Harris’ party, Fine Gael, the results show that their popularity lies with homeowners.
Of those that own their property outright, 28% support the party, while of those that have a mortgage, 16% support Fine Gael.
Of those living in council rented accomodation, just 6% support Harris’ party, 17% of those living in private rented accommodation support Fine Gael.
Of those living with their parents, 10% would vote Fine Gael.
In his Ard Fheis speech two weeks ago, Harris specifically mentioned how people were stuck living at home with their parents.
However, interestingly his wording appeared to address the parents — the home owners — rather than those living in the box room.
“I am of a generation where home ownership can feel out of the reach of many. To young people, I want you to know your future is here in Ireland,” he said.
And I want your parents to know we will move mountains to get the children out of the box room and into a home of their own. We have to fix housing for once and for all.
In terms of Fianna Fáil, 24% of those that own their own home would support the party, while 13% of mortgage-holders said they would vote for Micheál Martin’s party in the upcoming European elections.
Of those that live in council rented housing, 0% said they would vote for Fianna Fáil. Of those living in private rented accommodation, 11% said they would vote for the party, while only 8% of those living at home with their parents said they would.
Independent candidates, based on the spectrum available, are seeing a mix of support from those that own their own house as well as those in council housing. The poll shows that 22% of mortgage-holders plan to vote Independent in the European elections, while 25% of those in council rented housing are backing the Independent candidates.
Given the result, it is interesting to look at where Sinn Féin, Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil position themselves in the housing debate, and in particular, where they might focus their attention. Expect things like mortgage interest relief, the eviction ban or the renters’ tax credit continue to come up in media debates and key speeches – even if they fall outside the remit of the European Union.
Housing is back on top as one of the key issues of concern to people, with the theme bypassing immigration in the latest Irish Times snapshot poll last month.
There is no doubt that the next general election will be won or lost on the issue of housing. How it will figure in the June European Elections will depend on how candidates push themselves forward.
All three parties have been carving out their corner in terms of the debate, with Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil clubbing together to criticise Sinn Féin on its housing policies, which they claim are non-existent and will hold people back.
Each party is using social media to make their claims, with Martin pointing to how Sinn Féin has pledged to scrap the Help-to-Buy scheme which provides funding to first-time-buyers for their deposit, with 44,000 availing of it so far.
The party also plans to end the First Home Scheme, which gives funding in exchange for the government taking a stake in your home.
On the flipside, Sinn Féin is keen to highlight the rising homeless numbers on the government’s watch.
Recently in the Dáil, Ó Broin said Darragh O’Brien will only be remembered as the minister for homelessness.
He claimed that for the fourth year since the minister took office, the government’s affordable housing targets have been missed.
O’Brien responded by saying that there were no affordable homes delivered in any way for a 10-year period.
“Now we see first-time buyers buying homes and drawing down mortgages at a rate of about 500 a week, the highest since 2006. In 2023, over 4,000 affordable housing supports were delivered for people across the country, up from 1,757 in the previous year.
“While that did not meet the target, it is a very significant jump in activity, a 128% increase,” said the housing minister.
The poll of 1,334 people was carried out between the 6 and 7 April and has a margin of error of 2.7%.
***
This work is co-funded by Journal Media and a grant programme from the European Parliament. Any opinions or conclusions expressed in this work are the author’s own. The European Parliament has no involvement in nor responsibility for the editorial content published by the project. For more information, see here.
Abandoning the Israeli state? Surely you mean preventing the unwarranted expansion of the Israeli state?
@Kevin Higgins: Exactly. How many tens of billions in aid was recently granted to Israel by the US, while its own citizwens drank poison water in Flint, Michigan?
Israel sounding moer and more like a spoiled sweet 16 who mouths off at daddy while he’s on the phone clearing her credit card.
Yes Obama recently increased military aid to Israel and also by vote in Congress to 3 billion dollars per year Also Egypt gets 1.5 billion Jordan 1 billion and the Palestinian authority 800 million dollars in US aid per year
@John003: You consider billions in aid ‘abandonment’? Starting to sound like that spoiiled sweet sixteen I mentioned.
You you like a lend of a few full stops and commas?
* Would you
@For Connolly – for someone who berates others for poor punctuation and spelling, your own is flucking dreadful!
Check out the spelling and grammar of your first few comments here and then cop on to yourself.
@Colin Moran: It’s polite to try to make your posts as readable as possible. Punctuation is our friend.
Israel has been the most consistently rogue state in modern times, over 70 years of slaughter and genocide of an indigenous population unchecked and backed by the US purely because successive Presidents are petrified of losing the support of AIPAC.
The only decent leader they had, Yitzhak Rabin, whilst not perfect, but a reasonable politician and statesman, was of course assassinated by his fellow countrymen because he got too close to achieving an everlasting peace with the Palestinians.
Since then the megalomaniacs in charge have stepped up their ethnic cleansing of the Palestinian people at a pace that would make the most evil men in history blush.
@Joey Westland: When Israel was founded in 1948 there were at most 600,000 Palestinians now there are 2 million in Israel itself and several more million in Gaza and West bank
Israel has not committed slaughter and genocide against any indigenous population
In contrast in all the Arab countries the indigenous Jewish population over 800000 were driven out in the 1950;s and 60′s
@John003: I don’t need a history lesson from you John, I hold a PhD in the subject and am well read on the history of the region.
You’ve a PhD on BS that is.
@John003: Its a common misconception that genocide requires an intention to wipe out an entire people. I’ve heard whats happening in Israel, the west bank and Gaza strip described as ‘genocide by a thousand cuts’ of the palestinial people, which may be more accurate.
@Nazerene: Those of us who have attended Third-Level education would say ‘in BS’.
@For Connolly: Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 All the settlers and military left
With all the money it gets from the EU and Gulf countries Gaza could have a good economy even a tourist industry
HAMAS choose to put all their efforts to attacking Israel
Even their Arab brothers who fought 3 wars for them Egypt, want nothing to do with them now
@John003: Do you even believe what you put in that post? Its like the 101 of standard issue israel apologist claptrap. To use an analogy, the warden may have left the prison, but still controls what goes in and out and can still kill the inmates on the other side of the fence.
@For Connolly: Much like your apologist claptrap of IRA/SF.
‘It’s', ‘West Bank’ and ‘Palestinian’ are all spelt incorrectly.
Punctuation is our friend.
‘Spoiled’ is spelt incorrectly.
‘You you’ is poor grammar.
Punctuation is our friend.
Abstaining should be abolished ff abstain a lot as well in our dail.America is another words in full support of Zionist Israel by abstaining.Surprise surprise ! America is a rouge state out of control.
The Sharia field manual is not a third level education.
Bobby, this will be viewed by Nathan Yahoo as a major slap in the face from Obama.
Israels first act as an independent state was to invade Egypt in ’56
‘Spelt’ LOL! Cheers for that….
Agreed John. If the palestinians laid down their weapons, there would be no war. If Israel laid down its weapons, there would be no Israel.
@For almost bordering on real politik??? To be fair an article like this never invites a fair debate for either side. It’s emotive, tragic and a lot of players in the region (and outside) playing off each other for their own gain. As I say… Real politik or as we might say.. A political football.. Kicked around by a lot of teams where the rules change every ten minutes – with the supporters switching sides as they go along. Simplistic I know.
@ joey If I were you I would do be embarrassed to admit that by you held a PhD.
@For Connolly
“In American English, spelt primarily refers to the hardy wheat grown mostly in Europe, and the verb spell makes spelled in the past tense and as a past participle. In all other main varieties of English, spelt and spelled both work as the past tense and past participle of spell, at least where spell means to form words letter by letter or (with out) to make clear. Outside the U.S., the two forms are interchangeable in these uses, and both are common.”
LOL yourself nob.
Knob?
Yes yes BiBi, because NOT condemning them will all of a sudden make them less unlawful.
Christ, you think being handed someone elses country would be enough for the zionists.
Israel was handed nothing won 3 major problem wars and lots of little ones for the country they are in Month after Israel was established by the UN all the Arab neighbours attacked
It seems you have won your own problem war against basic punctuation.
Oh, and you may want to read a history book or two, starting with one about the Balfour declaration.
Yes after WW1 the Ottoman empire was split up by mainly Britain and France Balfour was a declaration that there would be a small space made for the Jews after the war Arabs got 96% and Israel the size of munster is 4% Arabs did not accept this and atacked Israel in 3 major wars
Anyone got a basic history book we can lend this lad??
Why is the region called Judea? What are the locals called? Hmmm.
@Charlie Wrex: Are you getting confused with Palestine and the Palestinians by any chance?
No. Maybe you are? You mentioned history books etc so you of course know that Judea was separate from Roman Syria – it wasnt until after the Jewish Revolt failed and the indigenous population decimated, that it was renamed Syria Palaestina.
@Charlie Wrex: You are aware that we are discussing the birth and inlawful expansion of Israel rather than cherrypicked points in ancient history which suit a narrative, yes?
* unlawful
Cherrypicking? Nope, just correcting your point re Palestine and Palestinians when i asked about Judea.
@Charlie Wrex: So you can explain why the ancient history of the region is relevant to the discussion about the birth and unlawful expansion of a state which was created in the 1940s?
Really? You want me to explain why the homeland of Jews is relevant to its eventual inception as a modern nation? Are you still denying/ against its place among the nations of the world?
@Charlie Wrex: You’ve put in a sterling shift today Charlie. Do take a break.
Petr, you’re the lunatic who said the multinational army assault on Israel (its stated aim was the killing of every jew it could find) the day after its inception was correct. Strangely though, you refuse to explain why genocide is fine? You will however wholesale the racism/ islamophobia card if someone so much as asks a question about Islam. As always, Petr, youre the arch moral relativist.
@Charlie Wrex: “You want me to explain why the homeland of Jews is relevant to its eventual inception as a modern nation?”
Yes, if you don’t mind. Please explain why judea (which was part of palestine and ceased to be in 135 AD, gives one people, almost 2 millennia later, the right to take the land lived on by a second people, and give it to a third people based on the way they pray.
I certainly could, if you’d address the 2nd question i asked too. Im not sure paraphrasing George Galloway is advisable though, Jammie. :)
@Charlie Wrex: What question is that?
Its a few comments up Jammie. Look again.
Not a bit old for playing games charles?
Get back to us when you’re ready to post your question. I’ll be chatting with the grown ups.
Lol. Oh dear me. Still running from the kryptonite question jammie? I’ll bite though. 1 hour ago Are you still denying/ against its place among the nations of the world?
Ah, the old zionist equivalent ‘do you still beat your wife’ question.
Oh and you post ‘Are you STILL denying’, inferring that I did at some stage.
Can you post that for us please?
I rather you answered a very basic question. If youre denying saying it grand. I havent the interest in your convolutions. Do you think Israel should have its place among the nations of the world?
@Charlie Wrex: What the fukking fuk are you still doing here? I told you to you to donate your internet devices to intelligent people in need and then go scoop out your brain two weeks ago.
Charles, your quesetion is based on a premise that I’ve asked you to back up before I answer.
Whenever you’re ready……….
My question requires a short answer. One youve been avoiding for the 3 years ive been on this site. You love deflecting. Its your thing. If its not israel, its gerry, the ira. There’s an eloquence to silence jammin, so thank you for your clear response.
Your question is based on a premise you can’t back up. Like asking the ‘do you STILL beat your wife’ question, when you have no information that the person ever did so.
Oh, and I cut my teeth making mincemeat out of paid hasbara trolls on american chat forums, so you may well be advised not to embarrass yourself further. I know the book of hasbara backwards, forwards and sideways.
Charles it’s a classic performance from him, pure vintage were jammin. No matter how long I’m away from the Journal, I know I can always tune in to see him criticizing Israel, defending his heroic IRA goons, be they the Nazi collaborating era ones or the more recent variety. And then of course protecting his no. 1 love, Gerry A.
Oh, Hi jurgen. Love the motto ‘These colours don’t run’ and the US flag.
Is that why this photo is in black and white??
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/95/Saigon-hubert-van-es.jpg
Lol. Yes, i feel embarrassed by the fact you cant answer the question ” Should Israel have its place amongst the nations of the world?” If you prefer to wind yourself up in convolutions thats up to you. You mistake your own sleek preening and self congratulations for a cowards inability to publically acknowledge Israels place in the world, either way.
Changing the question now? Tisk tisk
Sounding a lot like dermo there charlie.
The question you asked was…. “Are you still denying/ against its place among the nations of the world?”
You used the word ‘still’, so show me where I did so before.
Whenever you’re ready, or are you spoofing?
Jurgen, you seem to have an IRA shaped chip on your shoulder.
Does the idea of farmers and civilians holding a superpower to a stalemate remind you of Nam too much?
Jammie, ill be home in about half an hour thank phuk. I havent the time or inclination to go searching for our previous engagements. Instead, we’ll draw a line in the sand. I cant link my proof tonight. I will though. Can you clarify your position on Israel as a nation of the world now? You say ive misrepresented you, so you’ll be happy to represent yourself clearly now.
@Charlie Wrex: “I cant link my proof tonight. I will though. ”
Grand so, I’ll spend the rest of the Cristmas on the edge of my seat (chuckle)
NEXT
@jurgen, it is of course. It always entertains me though. It cheers me up that im diametrically opposite most of jammies positions. Merry Christmas, ill be arriving home in about 5 minutes!
Not really jammin, as North Vietnam actually achieved renunification very quickly. Whereas the IRA have accepted they could never win:(
Funny how you don’t like to talk about the IRA Nazi link up too much, except to lie about it. I would hope that you are embarassed by it given how you’re supposedly a socialist. But then, given how much you hate Israel, maybe you’re not. Wiping out Irelands Jews is a small price to pay for achieving Irish national unity right?
Yep, celebrations in the Connoly household. You might have made an excellent contributor to the IRA paper ‘War News’. Some nice little rants in there about Nazi Germany’s chosen targets.
werejammin: the eloquence of a cowards silence.
Merry Xmas to you too Charles.
Hey Charles, if you are up in Dublin can you pick up my share of the Shekels for tonight’s work. It’s such hard work interacting with the massive, unstoppable force of the scary ego that is were jammin, who ‘cut his teeth’ on US chat forums. We should get triple time!
I mean, only a paid hasbara would dare tangle with his huge intellect.
Maybe Adolf was onto something
No problem Jurgen. Looking forward to our annual catch up with the gang in Tel Aviv in the New Year! :)
@Jurgen Remak: @Charlie Wrex: Imagine this: Your home, that you’ve spent years building and all your savings on to create a safe abode for you family, is destroyed one day by a man in a bulldozer. When you ask this man why he just destroyed your home, he answers that his ancestors were promised this land thousands of years ago by God and that his ancestors lived here in the past, therefore him and his people are the only ones allowed to live on this land. Would you be OK with this explanation?
@Ronan Gallagher: Remarkably close score on this one! 6-6
It could go either way Killian.
Theres a gee’s hair in it
Fannys hair in it. Very close
As tight as a jew at hanukkah
I have very little time for the State Of Israel after some of its agents Literally stood by whilst their mercenary’s murdered 2 Irish Peace Keepers who were unarmed in cold blood. Frankly they can go and shite.
@scoop delivery: They forged Irish passports and used them to facilitate the murder of a man. The Israeli Ambassador should be booted out of Ireland.
It’s time Israel was stopped stealing land all around them.their atrocities must be stopped now, support must be withdrawn from them.
Jesus wept!!!
I’m no fan of Obama and have serious reservation about some of his and America’s policies. In particular America’s Israel first policy and how much influence Zionists have over America;s foreign policy.
That being said if this story is accurate and Obama was behind this resolution I applaud the man.
The truth is, he did this purely for the history books, knowing Trump would unravel it. That was agreed between the two of them regardless of what you read in the media. Honestly, what difference does this resolution make in practical terms. NONE. The status quo is and will remain in place, otherwise Obama would have done this 3 years ago. Open your eyes.
@Cal Mooney: You’re almost certainly right when you say this will be undone. It will however heap public attention on this issue.
@John Fergus: The only wait it can be undone is the same way it was done. That none of the UK, France, US, Russia or China veto the reversal(which is unlikely given 4 voted for the resolution) and 8 of the 15 members vote for it(which is also unlikely).
Patrick in 3.2.1..
Apart from its expansion of illegal settlements Israel’s treatment of the Palestinians is absolutely appalling. The illegal Gaza blockade, the apartheid wall, imprisonment of minors, etc etc and the US just stands aside and does shamefully nothing.
That’s been happening since 67. No news there. Obama played a blinder though pretending he wasn’t getting along with them but signed off on the biggest cash deposit just before wrapping up his 8 year stint. Everyone should read Robert Fisks, Israel The Obama Years.
None of cyber soldiers made it from the opinion piece about Gaza. This article clearly didn’t merit a notification.
@Charlie Fogarty: In fairness, they’ve probably clocked off for the day and the night shift hasn’t begun yet.
I’m a Christian, so i’m barred from getting a house in an Israeli settlement in the WB. Correct? So are local non-Jews.
Livestream due here from the UNSC http://webtv.un.org/live-now/watch/security-council-the-situation-in-the-middle-east-including-the-palestinian-question-7853rd-meeting/5195656068001
@Rosa Parks: 14 mins to go
@Rosa Parks: live now
@Rosa Parks: thanks for that. This can be very interesting, voting about to start.
@Rosa Parks: Stop spamming everyone you eejit.
US abstained, awesome!!!
Huge step for the Palestinians. Fantastic news.
@Guybrush Threepwood: Shame on the US. Samantha Power is a vile creature.
@Petr Tarasov: I agree.
New “click bait” middle east war!! starting in ……3,2,1……
Well that is 18 UN resolutions condemning Israel this year Go on UN you can make it 20 in 2016 No resolution from the UN about Saudi actions in Yemen
John they should do that too not instead of.
Resolutions without action is meaningless. A few years of UN & EU embargo on Israel should concentrate minds wonderfully.
Buffer zones are understandable given the position they are in. Settling people in those zones is a different matter.
John, you can start by “embargoing” apple in anthenry. Apple will be producing the hardware for the iPhone 8 in Israel.
Apple have no plans to produce any hardware in Athenry, so hardly relevant. …Apple will follow the money
Too little too late.
Israel ‘ are the eye,s and ear,s for America
A spiteful act by the departing Obama who allowed personal differences with Netanyahu colour his decision on the vote.
A petty small minded man.
Good riddance.
The resolution demands that
“Israel immediately and completely cease all settlement activities in the occupied Palestinian territory,
including East Jerusalem.”
Jewish settlements are a “flagrant violation under international law and a major obstacle to the achievement of the two-State solution and a just, lasting and comprehensive peace”.
The US envoy to the UN, Samantha Power, said the resolution reflected the “facts on the ground” that settlement growth had been accelerating.
“The settlement problem has gotten so much worse that it is threatening the two-state solution,” she said.
Criticising Mr Netanyahu, she said: “One cannot simultaneously champion expanding settlements and champion a two-state solution that would end the conflict.”
What’s Trump’s position on Israel?
@alphanautica:
He contacted Obama to try and persuade him to veto the resolution. Trump plans to move the Israeli embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem , a move which would be a huge game changer in Middle East relations.
He is a supporter of Israel.
@Alex Falcone: thanks Alex. It will will be interesting to see how Trump adjusts to understanding the complexity of his role. He clearly had no idea during the campaign.
The US taxpayer massively supports Israel financially. Which seems at odds with most of the US electorate opinion.
I liveđ there for five years, and found one lot as bad as the other.
have your say