GE2024 full swingLAST UPDATE | 9 Nov
THE FIRST OFFICIAL day of the three-week general election campaign is in full swing as parties start canvassing around the country.
Most of today’s events will be based around the south and southeast of the country but candidates will be canvassing nationwide all weekend. Some small canvasses and news conferences took place in Dublin yesterday evening.
Fine Gael kicked its campaign off with a pitch to businesses, promising to reduce the VAT rate to 11% for food-based hospitality, entertainment and hairdressing sectors, introduce PRSI rebates for SMEs and new energy credits in its first 100 days in government.
Meanwhile, Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman has said Fianna Fáil proposal for a new junior minister position for energy and electric vehicles, reported by The Irish Times today, was “rich”.
O’Gorman said that he was surprised to see Fianna Fáil’s climate promises as, he claims, the party shot down its energy proposals during a cabinet meeting this week.
The Journal reported this week that the final meeting turned sour over a block on green proposals.
Greens leader and candidate for Dublin West said: “Interesting to see their policy coming out today, but it does somewhat contrast with the approach that we found from Fianna Fáil over the last four-and-a-half years in government.”
He added that it was “particularly seen in the last weeks” where he claims that Fianna Fáil blocked funding allocation proposals in the infrastructure, nature and climate fund to retrofit schools and hospitals.
“It’s a newfound interest in the climate and particularly this proposal to have a junior energy minister,” O’Gorman told reporters in Rathfarnham in Dublin. “I really don’t understand that,” he said, adding that any climate role needed to be a senior position.
A party statement, reacting to the proposal, later said the Greens “doesn’t know whether to laugh or cry” over the policy pitch.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio One’s Saturday with Colm Ó Mongáin programme, Finance minister Jack Chambers said that Fianna Fáil’s full climate manifesto would be published next week but rejected the narrative from the Green Party.
“There were proposals set out to note particular expenditure items with which could be made. There was no decision point on spending the infrastructure, climate and nature fund,” he said.
Sinn Féin were canvassing in the south east today, where party leader Mary Lou McDonald will join candidates in Waterford, South Tipperary and Kilkenny at the doors.
Sinn Féin, who are campaigning on a message to change government and oust Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil, believe the region has been ‘let down’ by the current government. McDonald believes two Sinn Féin TDs can be elected in Waterford.
She told reporters: “We have to convince people of our case and we’re here in Dungarvan, Waterford and the south east to make the case for that change in government.”
McDonald added: “I think it’s fair to say that the south east for a long time. We were out at the airport earlier and the case has been made for investment in that airport.
“Sinn Féin will certainly make good on that commitment because I know in this part of the country, for too long a promise is made and the withheld and made and withheld. And that’s not the way to invest properly anywhere.”
In Cork, Tánaiste Micheál Martin is canvassing with all three constituencies throughout the day with Fianna Fáil candidates, TDs and ministers. He has said an issue that is frequently being discussed is crime in the city in Cork.
“There is a need for substantial more gardaí on our streets,” Martin said, promising that a Fianna Fáil government would employ 5,000 more members and invest and resource An Garda Síochána more effectively.
Meanwhile, People Before Profit has called on Sinn Féin to rule out coalitions with Fine Gael or Fianna Fáil after McDonald yesterday said she was willing to speak with ‘everybody’.
Though the party’s main priority is to get all of its 71 candidates elected, McDonald said she believes it would be insulting to the public if she were to openly reject the possibility of going into government with any party.
She said it was equally insulting to the electorate that Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil have now publicly ruled out a coalition with Sinn Féin for the last two elections. Sinn Féin want to oust both parties anyways.
Speaking today, People Before Profit TD Paul Murphy said:
“The real insult that has been delivered many times in the past by Labour, the Greens and various independents is to campaign on the promise of change, and then use those votes to put Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael back in power.”
He said it was “not too late” for Sinn Féin to rule out coalescing with the parties and urged McDonald and the Social Democrats to commit to a left-wing government. “That would inspire people to come out and vote to end 100 years of FF and FG rule,” he said.
Asked about the comments today, McDonald said: “We want a new government beyond Fine Gael or Fianna Fail. Our proposition could not be clearer to the people.”
The Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik is canvassing with Dublin South West candidate Ciaran Ahern today.
There will also be plenty of political representation at a pro-Palestine march in Dublin, calling on the next government to prioritise the Occupied Territories Bill, which would block trade between Ireland and entities located on illegally settled land.
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