RE: Irish elections are on the horizon. 29th November.

I suppose we only have a national debt of 235 billion, one of the highest per capita in the world. Our hospitality sector is being murdered with a 13.5% tax rate, not to mention many of our hotels being full of migrants on the public purse instead of tourists spending much needed cash in our small towns. House prices are through the roof so while strangers flood in, our own can find nowhere to live and are forced to emigrate. We have the second highest electricity prices in Europe while the government stops us burning turf as well as banning chimneys on new builds. We're in the top 6 for the dearest petrol in Europe, and as you said yourself, services are non-existent and you can''t get a handyman for love nor money. Sure why wouldn't you vote for more of the same?:)

Because the alternative is a sine fein led government which would not be good for any of us when they drive away the american companies taxing them to the hilt for more free handouts to the people draining our system. They are not the people that we need in charge of the country as shown by how badly they are running their own party right now. We elected a sine fein candidate here last election as did a lot of areas and it's been a disaster.

Fine gael have not done badly in the current cycle. Waiting lists are down in hospitals, tax returns are at a high, children are looked after better than ever before. Services are being bulked up but it's a numbers game. Our population is growing faster than we can keep up.

A lot of the issues above are not unique to Ireland indeed the first world as people have migrated to the most rewarding countries in search of a better life. Having a stronger border policy and removing illegals would be a start but while we are hosting large numbers of dependents it is not going to change.

Our hospitality sector is murdering itself with crazy prices and gouging tourists. Anywhere that is reasonably priced down here is doing very well as people return. Most places that are struggling are charging crazy money for basic goods and services. 9% would be good with commitments to reflect that on the customers instead of just taking more profits.

I would love a real alternative to what we have with realistic policies that look after the working class of Ireland and have some common sense in policy making but none of them ring that bell for me at the moment.