Galway West candidates discuss cost of living, housing

Candidates in the Galway West bye-election have made their pitch to voters this evening, focusing on issues including cost of living, housing, local transport and Government spending.

A total of 11 of the 17 candidates put forward their positions on a special edition of RTÉ's Six One News at the University of Galway.

The programme came a day after a TG4/Irish Times poll conducted by Ipsos/Behaviour and Attitudes last Friday and this Tuesday in phone interviews with just over 500 people gave an initial snapshot of the campaign so far.

Speaking during the first section of the programme Fine Gael's Sean Kyne, when asked about whether there is a need for a mini-budget, said that while "Government is very aware in relation to the pressures on people" he believes "we have to have fire power for the winter period".

He said the coalition has already put forward a €750 million package, fuel allowance supports and a reduction on electricity VAT, and stressed he is "aware of the real concerns" people are facing.

Independent Ireland candidate Noel Thomas said the Government needs to "do something desperately" in terms of the cost of living crisis, saying his party is "looking for an emergency budget at this stage" and for "the waste going on" to stop so that there is "funding to help people".

Sinn Féin candidate Mark Lohan also responded to the same question by saying "people are hammered, pinned to their collar and need Government to intervene", saying his party wants "an emergency budget to make life more affordable" and that the "incredible surplus of €9bn [in the exchequer] is needed right now".

Fianna Fáil's Cillian Keane, the Social Democrats' Mide Nic Fhionnlaoich and Independent candidate Mike Cubbard were questioned about transport in the county later in the programme.

Asked about traffic in Galway, Mr Cubbard said "as a wealthy country we're very poor on infrastructure" and said driving on some rural roads in Galway is "like driving on the moon", saying the ring road, bus links and improved rail services are needed.

Ms Nic Fhionnlaoich said the Galway ring road is needed but "we've been talking about it for 30 years, our entire lifetimes" and that the problem is "this search for a silver bullet means we are doing it piece meal, bit by bit".

Mr Keane said "there is no single fix" but that the ring road and a light rail service for Galway city are needed, saying "we need to work on that, it's what people want to see".

On the cost-of-living question, Mr Keane said "people need support and we have to acknowledge it, they [Government] have to put a commitment in".

However, he said in his view a mini-budget is "not a responsible way to do business" as given world events "we don't know what is going to happen tomorrow".

Ms Nic Fhionnlaoich said "we've [her party] been clear we need supports now", saying a €400 energy credit for targeted households, a mileage scheme and other measures could be implemented.

Mr Cubbard said he wants a "common sense" approach to helping people who are struggling in Galway, saying "people can't wait" and saying while there is regular mention of a rainy day fund for the future "the fact is it's raining in Galway now".

A number of other candidates also spoke on the programme.

Read more: Galway West constituency profile Watch: Young voices on the big issues in Galway West
Independent Thomas Welby said "people are very upset and feel neglected", saying the "money we're talking about is public money not Government money" and should be used to help those in need.

Green candidate Niall Murphy said "if we double or triple the number" of Green TDs in the Dáil by the party winning the Galway West or Dublin Central bye-elections, or both, then "that's going to send a very clear message that there's still a green vote there".

Independent candidate Sheila Garrity said "we need to remove the civil war parties from Ireland, and I want to start those conversations with parties of the left" to bring about "change to the people of Ireland".

Aontú candidate Orla Nugent said "people feel like we have to fight to get our voice heard", saying households "just need a little helping hand", saying the carbon tax should be scrapped among other policies.

Other candidates running in the Galway West bye-election include People Before Profit's Denman Rooke, Independent Néill Bairéad, The Irish People's AJ Cahill, Independent Patrick Feeney, Independent John O Leary and Independent Michael Ryan.