In the run up to a General Election, it can be difficult to know who to vote for. The Irish electoral system is complicated, with a wide array of parties and a great many candidates.
In an effort to simplify the decision process for young people, The College View contacted youth wings of a few parties you may see on the ballot paper. We asked them, as spokespersons for their respective parties, why students should consider placing their representative candidates number one.
Using the answers given to us, The College View has created the below overview in hopes of assisting students at the polling station this Friday.
Young Fine Gael
Fine Gael have been in government since 2011, yet with a recent change in leadership under Simon Harris, they are offering a ‘new energy’ for Ireland. A member of DCU’s Young Fine Gael commented that “Fine Gael has made tackling the issues affecting students and young people a priority.” In his tenure as Minister for Higher Education, Simon Harris introduced two considerable fee reductions for college students. Now, he is now promising a full abolition of fees for college students (although, as outlined in their manifesto, it is not quite as radical as it was made to seem during the Taoiseach’s visit to DCU, instead a gradual decrease in fees over time). Fine Gael further promises to build over 300,000 homes within five years and deliver 2,500 student beds each year. They also pledge to build the Metro Link – a long-time goal for Fine Gael, but one yet to be achieved – and introduce a Bike to College Scheme.
“Choose stability over empty promises. Vote Fine Gael to secure your future and build a better Ireland for us all.” – Young Fine Gael
Labour Youth
The Labour Party is looking to bring radical change to the Irish government. According to a Labour Youth spokesperson, a real change is necessary “to combat the housing crisis, abysmal public services, and the crippling cost of living”. They also highlighted for us that “Labour has a proud history of fighting for students and of being the party of transformative, progressive reforms”, and further referred to Labour’s accomplishment in abolishing tuition fees in the 1990s.
“It is clearly time for radical change, therefore it is time for Labour.” – Labour Youth
Ógra Fianna Fáil
A spokesperson for DCU’s Ógra Fianna Fáil underscored Fianna Fáil’s commitment to further and higher education. They spoke of how their party had delivered almost 9,000 student rooms and allocated €100 million from the National Development Plan for delivery of student accommodation projects. Fianna Fáil have promised a further €200 million investment in the development of new student accommodation, which will be done in conjunction with agreements to cap rents and implement a code of practice for student accommodation.
“Expanding access and excellence in further and higher education has been a core priority for Fianna Fáil for much of the party’s history.” – Ógra Fianna Fáil
Ógra Sinn Féin
Sinn Féin are encouraging students to vote for change in this upcoming election. They feel as though students have spent too long “with little to no choice but to leave Ireland”. The party promises they will stand up for young people, and ensure that they are granted opportunities not only in cities but in rural areas too. According to Ógra Sinn Féin, “Sinn Féin is committed to delivering affordable housing, lowering rents and abolishing third-level and apprenticeship fees” in an effort to improve the standard of living for students across Ireland.
“Vote for a party that will fight for you. Vote Sinn Féin.” – Ógra Sinn Féin
Final Note:
Although this piece includes voices from several youth wings, there are additional parties to consider, whose youth wings did not respond to TCV’s request to comment on the election. There are also many independents running in constituencies across Ireland with vast and varied policy positions, whose information can be found through social media or contacting them directly.
You can find out what constituency you are located in and your local candidates through this link.
As students, it is important that our voices are heard and our values reflected in the Irish political system. Voting in the upcoming general election is an invaluable way of protecting your rights and expressing your interests. It is vital that students take advantage of their right to vote and use it at the polling stations this Friday.