Issues of Immigration and Climate Change Dominate as Irish Election Campaign Heats Up
The issues of immigration and climate change have taken up the limelight for the political parties of Ireland as the election campaign enters its seventh day. Talks about health homecare policies, immigration management and climate are now the focus of the Irish election campaign.
Sinn Fein
Sinn Fein mentioned the establishment of a new management agency that would be responsible for immigration. The agency would oversee matters of the processing of immigration applications and accommodation for people in search of International Protection when they land in Ireland.
Immigration and accommodation
The party’s proposal also includes setting up an accommodation centre for such people so that their access to affluent areas is made easier. The required services would be made available to them so that they can show more engagement with society at their preferred or suitable locations.
The presence of purpose-built and state-owned facilities for the accommodation of immigrants is ensured in the proposal for those who are seeking International Protection.
Not only this, the party wants to keep the process transparent with fair policies. It has pledged to triple the staffing sources for the said proposal of accommodation. It may cost at least €82 million to make fair and fast decisions regarding International Protection. It would even include making decisions about returning people who are eligible to stay here.
Control of borders and cooperation
The party policy document is bound to include rules about the control of borders for each state. It is mandatory since Sinn Fein explained that free movement of citizens across the borders, particularly with Britain, would be facilitated.
Such cooperation via robust bilateral agreement is a prerequisite for maintaining discipline in immigration matters since Ireland is an island and managing immigration needs to be clean.
Immigration rules for Ukranians
Moreover, Sinn Fein believes that the status Ukrainians have been enjoying as the “Temporary Protection Directive” should end in March 2026.
With this, Ireland would allow people from “safe Ukraine” to return to their country while those coming from “unsafe areas” might be eligible to apply for International Protection.
Other rules
The party plans to abolish the monthly charges of €800 for Accommodation Recognition Payment. The reason for its annulment is that people looking for rental accommodation are finding it as a disadvantage.
Sinn Fein is even contemplating introducing a new registration requirement for people of the EU and European Economic Area who are living in Ireland.
Fine Gael and Simon Harris
Simon Harris was already picking up pace on issues of immigration and climate change when he was canvassing for the Irish election campaign five days ago. He had said that his party is looking forward to catering to the rising housing crisis in the country, making a fair but firm immigration system and striking the best deal of trade with the newly elected Trump government that would in return benefit Ireland.
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Carer’s Allowance
Simon Harris also foresees the abolishment of the Carer’s Allowance that is currently running in the country. He aims to introduce new rates for the Family Carer Payment of €325 per week, which previously was €220 per week for a single care patient.
Mr Harris is of the view that doubling the amount a couple can earn per week would be a feasible weekly income limit for at least €2,500. This would enable them to still qualify for the full Carer’s Allowance payment.
An example of this could be taken as that of a mother who has to give up her job to take care of her special needs child at home. The husband would then be able to earn an annual salary of approximately €130,000 and the wife would be able to qualify for the Carer’s Allowance payment.
The payment would increase in every upcoming budget and till the test phase is completed, which would be over the lifetime of one government.
Green Party and Social Democrats
Both the Green Party and Social Democrats have their aims high to discuss climate change today. The Green Party is set to talk about climate change today at an event in Dublin.
The Green Party has urged RTE to broadcast their debate on climate change so that their voters know what the party is planning for the betterment of the whole country and its people.
The Green Party senator, Pauline O’Reilly wrote a letter to the leaders of Irish political parties and RTE to broadcast their efforts for addressing a critical issue. She said in the letter that floods in Valencia that resulted in the deaths of more than 220 people are a direct consequence of climate change, which people need to understand.
Seven days ago, the Green Party had already launched its three-week-long campaign for climate change, transport, inequality, childcare issues and establishing a carbon-neutral economy.
The majority of candidates of the Green Party are females and all of its candidates are present in each of the 43 constituencies of the country.
The Green Party therefore emphasises in its election campaign to vote for them so that with the promotion of environmental sustainability and social equity, Ireland could become strong enough for a collaborative transformative change.
As the Irish election campaign heats up, the Green Party leader Roderic O’Gorman said,
“Since entering Government, the Green Party has delivered. We’ve taken significant and sustained action on the climate crisis, with Ireland’s carbon emissions now at their lowest level for 30 years. While taking those necessary steps, we’ve also delivered support for children and families: reduced public transport costs halved the cost of childcare, and increased paid parent’s leave.”
People Before Profit would debate about its launch of an election manifesto that predicts to include a wealth tax on multi-millionaires.
Fianna Fail
The Irish election campaign of Fianna Fail would include details of its plans for further cuts in health charges that would inculcate an extension of free GP care for the entire under-12 population.
Aontu
Aontu has the launch of its agriculture policy in line and new policies for rural Ireland.
FAQs
1. What are the main focus areas of the Irish political parties in this election campaign?
- The primary issues in this campaign include immigration, climate change, healthcare, housing, and social welfare. Each party has specific proposals, with Sinn Féin focusing on immigration management, the Green Party on climate action, Fine Gael on healthcare and housing, and Fianna Fáil on healthcare reform.
2. What is Sinn Féin’s stance on immigration?
- Sinn Féin proposes creating a dedicated immigration management agency to handle applications and accommodations for those seeking International Protection. They also plan to build state-owned accommodation centers to support immigrants in integrating into affluent areas. Sinn Féin has committed to making the process fair and transparent and intends to triple staff for handling immigration applications, estimating a budget of €82 million.
3. How does Sinn Féin propose handling Ukrainian refugees?
- Sinn Féin suggests ending the Temporary Protection Directive for Ukrainians in March 2026, after which individuals from “safe” parts of Ukraine may return home, while those from “unsafe” areas could still apply for International Protection.
4. What changes does Sinn Féin propose regarding the Accommodation Recognition Payment?
- Sinn Féin plans to abolish the €800 monthly Accommodation Recognition Payment for immigrants, viewing it as a barrier for those seeking rental accommodations. Additionally, they are considering a new registration requirement for EU and European Economic Area citizens living in Ireland.
5. What is Fine Gael’s position on healthcare and social support?
- Fine Gael, represented by Simon Harris, proposes a significant reform to the Carer’s Allowance, aiming to raise the Family Carer Payment to €325 per week. They also want to increase the earnings threshold for couples to enable more families to qualify for the allowance. Fine Gael is also addressing Ireland’s housing crisis and immigration management.
