FORMER Tánaiste Mary Coughlan has expressed dismay at the low turnout for the local and European elections in Donegal, and across the country.
Turnout for local elections tends to be lower than for national elections. The most pervasive reason seems to be a lack of perceived importance around local elections.
However, one analyst suggested to the Donegal news that “disillusionment amongst people towards politics is particularly high at present.”
The same analyst claims most politicians have lost touch with the challenges facing ordinary people, particularly with respect to the cost of living crisis. In any case, Fianna Fáil’s Mary Coughlan is disappointed.
“Normally at elections you’d have between 65% to 75% of the people out voting. It’s much lower on this occasion, but the issues are still there,” she said.
“I do hope we’ll see that turn around because without political support and people participating, it does cause issues. I’d prefer to see people vote regardless of the outcome,” added the former Tánaiste.
Ms Coughlan, meanwhile, has indicated she’s not surprised that the 100% Redress Party is doing well in Donegal. Candidates ran for Donegal County Council seeking support for those affected by defective concrete.
“It’s a huge issue for people on a personal basis. No one can take away from that. An awful lot of work was done by the previous government and this government to try and support people as best as possible.
“It’s heart-wrenching to think you’re going to lose your house; you have to move, you might have children, the big cost. It’s so difficult for people mentally and in every way,” said Ms Coughlan.
The veteran politician has also been responding to former Donegal minister, Dr James McDaid, who said, “It’s a really frightening situation for the government because I think they’re going to need a very serious plan.”
Dr McDaid was referring to the gains made by the 100% Redress Party. Ms Coughlan was reluctant to be drawn on the potential political consequences at the next General Election.
“We have 12 good councillors at the minute and I hope we would be able to return 12 again. It’s difficult to see if there’s going to be a translation from local to the general election.
“In Donegal, we can be quite different, as you know. We did have a single-issue candidate on one occasion. There may or may not be another but a General Election is a General Election.
“It’s very much different from the local. This is democracy working and people have a right to say what they have to say. They have to be listened to accordingly,” said the Fianna Fáil stalwart.
Mary Coughlan has also gone out of her way to promote Donegal minister Charlie McConalogue.
“Unfortunately, at the moment we only have one TD and that’s our minister who has been absolutely superb.
“He hasn’t got the support and credence that he deserves. He’s done a huge amount of work in the Department of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries.
“He’s also the sole representative at government for this county. A minister is a minister and he has done a huge amount. That feeds into the local electoral support that has been there,” concluded Ms Coughlan.
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