The General Election issues coming to the forefront of canvassing in the large Dublin Bay North constituency include housing, childcare and immigration.

Newstalk’s Henry McKean joined candidates canvassing in the Dublin Bay North constituency, reporting back with the main voters’ issues to the Moncrieff show.

Independent candidate Councillor Barry Hannon appeared to struggle with disinformation and misinformation, particularly in Coolock - an area which has recently seen unrest around immigration.

“From canvassing in Coolock, I think a lot of the people there were upset that they weren't being told,” he said.

“There was a lot of misinformation going around.

“I think the Government, through lack of information, created a vacuum for misinformation to spread and fear to divide the community.”

Councillor Hannon met a woman passionate about vetting immigrants.

Struggling with battling extremist views, the candidate reinforced his stance as an independent councillor, trying to understand the “frustration” people in the area are feeling.

A large Irish flag is waved by the crowd of anti immigration protesters in Coolock. Photograph: RollingNews.ie

Fianna Fáil Councillor Tom Brabazon spoke to a woman “afraid to go on the Dart at night”.

Councillor Brabazon said a majority of the people he has met are concerned about the “immigration crisis” and “strains on existing services”.

The Councillor also spoke to two mothers, concerned about childcare and returning to work.

“I’d love to go back to work, I just feel I can’t,” one woman said.

Another said that all of her friends are concerned about “the creche issue”.

“There’s no balance,” she said.

"Consider all the issues"

Sinn Féin candidate Micheál Mac Donncha, however, said immigration hasn’t come up as much during canvassing for the general election as it did for the local election.

“I think people have had time over the summer to consider the all the issues,” he said.

“It has been said to us on a couple of occasions that people understood that there was a lot of misleading information flying around earlier this year.

“I think people have had conversations over the summer, which has helped the situation.”

Anti-immigration protestors pictured in Dublin city centre, 5-2-24. Image: Sasko Lazarov/© RollingNews.ie

Independent Councillor John Lyons said he believes Ireland has “the resources to look after everyone”.

“I think when it comes to providing those warm, safe, affordable homes for everyone, it is about the political will,” he said.

“Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have completely failed on that front and what we need to do is that if we unite our campaigns, that's how we will achieve, you know, gold public services and gold communities for everyone.”

Renting

Social Democrats deputy leader and candidate Cian O’Callaghan said he is meeting a lot of people across their 20s, 30s and 40s who have had to move back in with their parents or who haven’t been able to leave their parents’ house.

“A lot of people who've moved back into their parents' homes over the last number of years, who for years would have been out renting and can no longer afford to rent,” he said.

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Main image: Disturbances at the former Crown Paints factory in Coolock, 15-07-2024. Image: Sasko Lazarov/RollingNews