Can we have a thread to discuss the upcoming MEP Election candidates for Ireland?

[HornyHornersPinkyWinky]

European elections coming up on 7th June. Ireland has 14 seats to fill...

I know it's probably early days, but I got a shiny leaflet in the door from Barry Andrews talking about how great he is - sorry Barry but you're not getting my vote.

It got me thinking though, I have no idea who to vote for. Here's a website which lists all the candidates, if you scroll down you will see the constituencies and if you click on their faces it gives you more information about their policies etc.
https://www.europeanmovement.ie/european-elections-2024/#1708343079798-db46201b-445f

Is there anyone dead set on who they are voting for and willing to share? I'm in Dublin BTW. Actually, if I could I'd vote for Peadar Tobín, but he's in the Midlands constituency...

Well, I guess that is one benefit of brexit - you only have to deal with being presented with a load of gobshites for local and national elections whereas we have to deal with them for 3 types of elections.

I'm sorry, you win! 😉
Your damned if you do and.... .. ..
Guid luck, anyway x

So do I. I absolutely hate them. I have never decided to vote for someone just because I've seen their face on a poster on a lamp post. I hate how some ignore the rules and put them up too early while others leave them up too long after the election. I'd rather vote for the candidate who doesn't put them (except there are no candidates who don't put them up).

Lads has anyone from the main parties knocked on doors.

I have had a few independents but nothing from parties.

Any leaflets seem to be delivered at stupid o'clock. I'm up at 6.30am and there does be leaflets in the door.

I don't even know who the MEPs are in my area - Dublin.
I am so cynical now and just think the European parliament is a gravy train for those elected / working there.

Our local FG councillor only makes himself known when there's an election.
The Labour one is vocal enough.
I don't know who the FF or SF etc sitting councillors are.
I used to be so interested in politics snd current affairs.

I've seen nobody, and I'm wfh so I'm here most of the day. They don't want to talk to us apparently, they just have minions posting leaflets through letterboxes...

I've just had another look at the list of Dublin candidates and there are a few more running that I thought, including a representative from Aontú - Aishling Considine.

Still so disappointing that pretty much no candidate talks about women's rights or women's issues at all.

The Labour councillor voted for the mad water park idea on the Liffey costing multi millions during a housing crisis 🙄

If Dublin Corporation could build housing estates in Crumlin, Marino, Drimnagh, Fairview, Ballyfermot etc when money was really tight in the "hungry" 30's and the following decades what the hell were they doing during the Celtic Tiger years and post the crash.

Those involved, council officials and councillors should hang their heads in shame.

A water park would be a great idea when and if the housing situation gets sorted.

None of the candidates have knocked on my door yet (in Dublin). They seem to think that putting up posters and putting leaflets through the door will be enough to get votes. I hate the posters and put the leaflets in the recycling. If they can't be bothered to actually canvas, meet people, discuss issues and take criticism (if any) then they don't deserve a vote. How can they work on behalf of the people if they don't meet the people to find out what they want or need...

I had the Sinn Féin local election candidate call but that's it.

So is it a good or a bad thing they are not knocking?

Is it because they are wary and know well the reception they will get so hoping a leaflet to read will calm it down

Or is taken as a given they will get in so don't give a shit.

I plummeting towards latter.

I also believe that FG/FF have already plans to team up again next year (the usual negotiations troupe will be said in reality they have their feet up the kettle on and good biccies are out) so they can keep pushing their agenda on the public.

I got a phone call from local FG councillor, telling he was my local FG councillor.

I have never even heard his name before then.

He's probably my FG councillor too.  @DublinFemale
He has ambitions to be the next FG TD in the area.

When they have to tell people who they are, they aren't doing the job properly and don't deserve to get back in, imo.

I had an issue with my home which I had written to council about in 2022. Heard nothing paid to get it fixed myself, DCC came out last month to sort out the issue and call came to tell me that he looked into the issue and requested it be rectified.

No comment when I told him I got it fixed and I paid for it.

Told me happy to hear it was sorted and to consider giving him my No. 1 in June.

I've had a couple of SF canvassers round since before the referendum and they've knocked on the door. Also had the brother of an Independent candidate knock on the door last night.

yes, so that they can dictate a woman's choice! - no thank you. I hope they don't get in.

I have started sending emails. Most have something I agree with so I comment on that and then ask about trans positions.

Dear so and so,

Having received your leaflet in the door, I find myself in agreement with much of your policies, in particular, x and y.

However, before I make final decisions on my vote, I would like to understand your position on trans rights, in particular where you stand on trans people accessing services/facilities such as sport, refuges, gym changing rooms etc using facilities/services that match their gender identity rather than their sex at birth. I would also like to understand your position on the provision of puberty blockers and cross sex hormones for young trans people.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Thanks @OchonAgusOchonOh

I was wondering how I could ask a few questions.

No reply is obviously a no vote.

I'm also making a point of mentioning the more lefty, liberal policies that I agree with so I can't be dismissed as "far right" by anyone with a brain. In fairness, I have always been a bit of a lefty liberal so it's true, I do agree with them on those points. I'm also mentioning locally relevant issues to the local election candidates.

I sent a raft of emails yesterday and nothing back so far.

Still no reply to any of the emails I sent last Wednesday

@OchonAgusOchonOh

I would love to be proven wrong but I don't expect you to get much back and anything you do get will be the days leading up to the election.

I wonder is the lack of reply because they don't know which way to jump. I think my email was neutral enough that I don't think it was obvious which way I lean.

@OchonAgusOchonOh as someone who occasionally has to communicate with public reps, you are being very ambitious in your timeline.

There are constant emails, meetings, pqs etc. someone on the team will be assigned to respond within a reasonable timeline. In our state org we advise acknowledgement and if possible indication of timeline within ten working days, I imagine theirs is similar.

There will be a pre approved response to 99% and then the rest escalated accordingly.

@Marblessolveeverything you're probably right on the European ones but do local candidates have people too? I know the ones I've emailed in the past have either promptly replied themselves or just completely ignored me.