Ireland GE 2024: Campaigns in Full Swing as Parties Release Policy Papers

Ireland GE 2024 is just around the corner and as is the norm all the political parties and Independent candidates are up and running gearing up for the battle they have in store for voters; this is the time all the parties and Independent candidates begin to roll out policy documents that they believe can help solve some of the challenges currently facing the nation. 

Today is the third day of campaigning and political party leaders are already personally visiting people and explaining their vision of the future of Ireland. The policies that were launched recently explain how each party is addressing issues such as housing, health, cost of living, and education in their bid for the voters’ support.

The general election, which is to be held on 29th November, holds vital points that are necessary to decide the future path of the country. These two entities are struggling to influence the Ireland GE 2024 in their favour, and they present different patterns.

Fianna Fáil’s Comprehensive Policy Manifesto for Ireland GE 2024

Fianna Fáil, led by Micheál Martin, now has produced a comprehensive set of proposals to the Ireland GE 2024, which contain over 900 commitments. The plan has intended objectives regarding the escalating cost of living, inadequate housing, pressure on healthcare, criminals, and social care.

Key aspects of Fianna Fáil’s proposals include:

• Raising pensions to help the elderly as they struggle to pay for bills as they used to.

• Promoting reduced healthcare waiting lists through increased availability of resources and human resources.

• Increasing the number of Gardai on the streets by 5,000 to make the country safer and cut crime.

Furthermore, sizable obligations in Fianna Fáil’s policy entail expenditures on housing, climate as well as the development of the country’s rural areas. The party argues that it is financially sound, it is committed to cutting the national debt and stockpiling for rainy days so that Britain’s public services are safeguarded against a weak economic future.

Following the launch of the Ireland GE 2024 manifesto, Micheál Martin will go door to door in Counties Louth and Meath to engage with the electorate and outline Fianna Fáil’s vision for Ireland.

Fine Gael’s Solid Housing Plan

The Fine Gael party is headed by Simon Harris who opines that the Ireland GE 2024 approach should tackle Ireland’s housing mess. Their plan is to construct over 300000 new homes by 2030 cutting half the money from Apple tax judgement which is €10 billion.

Moreover,  Fine Gael has also revelaed its plan to cut down the VAT rate for certain sub-industries such as the food-based hospitality business, entertainment and hairdressing services as part of their party manifesto for Ireland GE 2024.

Highlights of Fine Gael’s housing plan include:

• New construction: Extension of the Help to Buy scheme to 2030; Increase in relief for first-time buyers from €30,000 to €40,000.

• Modifying the First Home shared equity scheme to cover the first-time purchasers of second-hand properties to help make homes more affordable.

• Reaching an increase in the rent tax credit to € 1,500 for individual tenants and € 3,000 for the couple intending to provide relief in regards to rent prices.

Furthermore, Fine Gael has a new policy to extend the Landlord Tax Credit till 2030, in order to keep as many landlords in the rental segment as possible. The party is also proposing Cost Rental Housing for frontline workers which is self-explanatory of how the building will help house healthcare workers and teachers close to their workplace. 

Fine Gael’s housing policy to build houses in Ireland for GE 2024 is an indication of efforts to eradicate housing deficit diseases and pumping serious support to vulnerable groups who bear the brunt of house prices.

Sinn Féin’s Tax Relief Focus for Ireland GE 2024

The Ireland GE 2024 campaign of Sinn Féin devotes most attention to tax relief for average employees. While speaking at an event in Dublin, the head of the party’s finance, Pearse Doherty, said that workers earning up to €30000 would be exempt from the Universal Social Charge or USC by 2025, and those earning up to €45000 by 2026. 

The party believes that this will impact over one and a half million Irish workers in the country, and definitely help in somewhat decreasing the finances low and mid-earners have to pay out monthly.

Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald will be extending the campaign into County Monaghan and County Meath, where she will be available to speak to voters about the party’s tax policy. 

They have proposed that the USC should be cut as part of the party’s plan to support workers in the build-up to Ireland GE 2024 with the party seeking to make Ireland a more equal society.

Green Party, Labour, and Social Democrats: Alternative Visions

The Green Party led by Roderic O’Gorman emphasises environmental protection in Ireland GE 2024 party platform. O’Gorman will be campaigning in the Dublin South Central constituency with Patrick Costello explaining why climate friendly policies matter. 

They are things like green infrastructure projects and green policies with regard to environmental problems which are an interest to a good number of the electorate because of climate change.

Labour Party leader Ivana Bacik will be canvassing with candidate Cllr. Darragh Moriarty in Dublin South Central. Labour’s platform includes social justice, workers, and the poor. Labour care about Ireland GE 2024 voters in social welfare and equal outcomes such as income, healthcare, and community services.

The associated Social Democratic Party rose with distinct public faces in Gary Gannon and Catherine Murphy and concentrates on accountability and efficiency. 

Their platform also has ways of preventing wasting taxpayers’ money and improving the trust of the people in politics. Ireland GE 2024 campaign promises that the party stands for ethical governance with health care reform, education funding and accountability to attract voters.

Role of Independent Candidates in Ireland GE 2024

Independent candidates are leaving a considerable impact on GE 2024 in Ireland as it is arguing and representing the problems that are unheard and neglected by major parties. 

These candidates interface with voters as individuals providing personalised solutions to issues affecting communities and supporting issues that are likely to be popular with voters. Their presence also adds value in the political system by offering voters the versatility they need to choose from, due to the changing nature of Ireland’s political ambition.

The Road Ahead For Ireland GE 2024

With Ireland GE 2024 looming closer, all parties and independent candidates are keen to reach out to the public and sell their manifestos. 

Starting from Fianna Fáil that has laid out a very wide range of social programmes to Fine Gael with the more significant plan on the houses — and the Tax relief plan and all from Sinn Féin — they all have unique ways of approaching the problems the country has to face.

The review of policy proposals indicates that there is a wide range of identified voter concerns in Ireland GE 2024. Current topics such as housing that was the basis for Fine Gael campaigning or tax reform that caught Sinn Féin focus are also worth examining. 

However, the current situation has a range of different solutions provided by the Green Party, Labour and the Social Democrats all based on environmentalism, socialism and financial prudence respectively. To the voters, Ireland GE 2024 is not just an election because it can help them decide on the future of their country by voting for the party that will offer them the leaders they expect. 

Both parties’ policy papers include material that explains to voters exactly what that respective party has planned in regards to social, economical, and environmental issues that may be affecting society. The campaign stage set for Ireland GE 2024 will see citizens all over Ireland assess every platform, think of the options that serve them best and get ready for the voting station on the election day.

Frequently Asked Questions