Now that you've registered to vote, what should you ask election candidates on the doorstep?

NCI’s priority coming into this election is to receive formal HEA designation. When you are talking to politicians on the doorstep, whether you are staff or student, you could explain to your potential representative how your College having the certainty and additional support of HEA designation would improve the quality of your educational or working life. NCI also joins with all other HEIs across Ireland calling for more general investment in higher education and research.

ELI’s priority coming into this election is the extension of wrap-around home visiting and parent support services. So far, a number of parties have said they will address the lack of childcare places, which would positively affect many families; some have also acknowledged the importance of Home Visiting. However, the Early Learning Initiative (ELI) knows that Early Childhood Education and Care must be about more than ensuring parents have someone to mind their children so they can work outside the home. Wrap-around services would mean early education, parenting supports and easy access to therapies and specialist supports are readily available, without families having to seek out or apply to multiple services.

NCISU’s priorities coming into this election are an increase in student accommodation and a move to making ‘free fees’ actually free. Students cannot fully engage with college life if they are not able to get a good night’s sleep through couch-surfing, or if they are having to commute long distances, making them late for first lectures and meaning they leave before clubs and socs are active. ‘Free fees’ aren’t free at all when the Student Contribution is taken into account – for education to truly be free, this contribution should be abolished.

NCI, ELI and NCISU are all cognisant of the cost-of-living crisis and are keen to hear how candidates would approach the high and increasing prices of essentials such as electricity and groceries, while continuing to meet Ireland’s climate action plan.

NCI, ELI and NCISU would also like to hear each candidate’s response to the rise of anti-immigrant actions that have led to violence and a sense of intimidation amongst many of our diverse community.

These are just a few issues you might raise when candidates call to your doorstep, but take the time to consider what’s important in your life and your locality, which would be dealt with at government not council level, whether that is waiting lists for healthcare, sufficient supports in education, funding for the arts, sports, heritage, etc. 

Each political party and most independents will issue a manifesto but, especially if this is your first time voting, it is also useful to talk to older family members or your neighbours and learn for them which of your local TDs actually delivered on their promises in the past. You can also check check the voting records of past TDs. For example, if a candidate, who has previously served in government, tells you they are all about increasing the amount of social housing, it is possible to see if their promises this time out reflect their past actions https://www.oireachtas.ie/en/debates/votes/?debateType=dail. You can also look up a specific issue to see a party’s previous actions in that area. The more due diligence you do, the more informed your vote. Voting records are also available for anyone previously in the Seanad who is now running for general election, and you can also check your local council records, though they are not always as searchable or accessible.

There have been some recent changes to constituencies, so make sure you are doing your research on the candidates you will be asked to vote for.

Not everyone in the world is privileged enough to have a vote. Not every country in the world ranks as high for democracy as Ireland does. Do not take your right to vote for granted, and do not underestimate the power of your vote, most especially in a proportional representation electoral system.

FYI: The deadline  to request a postal vote was Friday 8th November; for register to vote for General Election 2024, Tuesday 12th November. You can check the register here.