Expectations and Opinions of Dublin Fingal Voters.

For people voting in Dublin Fingal, the housing crisis, rent, and public transport are the main issues to be looked into as priority.

Swords shopping mall was quiet on Sunday morning at around 10am. The traffic on Main Street and around Swords Avenue was relatively calm but rain was falling in thick sheets and people were seemingly unwilling to stop their weekend business to answer a vox pop. However, this reporter managed to get a couple of them to talk about their intention to vote.

Claire Doyle said she will vote for Duncan Smith because the community needs a experienced person; “I will vote for Duncan Smith, he is living in our neighbourhood and knows very well the problems we have in our community.”

For Oliver Walsh public transport is the main problem area to be looked into, he said: “Public transport is a joke, very expensive and doesn’t serve the community the way it should be. Trying to get a bus on the weekend is a nightmare”. Although he was quite upset about the public transport issue, Mr. Walsh hasn’t decided which candidate to vote for. He thinks nothing will change, “It is just another person replacing another seat, nothing will change.”

The housing crisis was mentioned by Mrs. Patricia Castro, “I used to live in the city centre, but the rent got too expensive to afford. Then my husband and I decided to move to Swords.” Mrs. Castro is not originally from Ireland, but she is living in the country for seven years and would like to vote as well; “If I don’t vote, I cannot complain about anything. I’m not sure yet, but I think I’ll vote for Duncan Smith”.

For Frank Castle the housing crisis is also a high priority item; “It’s getting more and more difficult to make ends meet up here. I’m originally from Waterford and if I was to move back home and take on a job that pays substantially less I’d come out with a similar enough pay check. The cost of living is also cheaper back home so it’s probably only a matter of time before I pack it in and head back down.”

Whenever the new candidate takes the seat, they will have a tough challenge ahead of them. Dublin Fingal community is growing, and people are asking for better services and a better quality of life.

The votes from Dublin Fingal will be counted in the National Show Centre near Dublin Airport, and the results could be released as early as Saturday, 30^th November.