Members of the Irish public are raising the cost of living as an election issue at a far higher rate than the issue of immigration during canvassing, an Independent MEP has claimed.
Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan of the Midlands-North-West constituency made the remarks on social media earlier today.
“5 days canvassing,” he said. “Biggest issue by far: cost of living.”
He said that this issue was “coming up at least 20 times more often than immigration.”
“You wouldn’t think that listening to RTÉ News,” he added.
5 days canvassing. Biggest issue by far. Cost of Living. Coming up at least 20 times more often than immigration. You wouldn't think that listening to @rtenews
— Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (@lukeming) May 2, 2024
Responding to one social media user who pointed out that the response would be different “depending on which area you canvas”, Flanagan said: “‘Hopefully’, says your man.”
Hopefully says your man. https://t.co/pxgbCuLR56
— Luke 'Ming' Flanagan (@lukeming) May 2, 2024
According to the Irish Times’ commissioned Ipsos Behaviour and Attitudes Snapshot polling, the key issues for voters in January 2024 were immigration, followed by housing, with all other issues being left behind by a considerable margin.
Housing has overtaken immigration as the number one issue in recent months, but both remain solidly at the top of the most mentioned issues according to the most recent Snapshot poll, with the cost of living issue creeping up as a less prominent but still growing issue.
“Housing remains the issue that preoccupies the Irish public, according to the latest Ipsos B&A Snapshot poll for the Irish Times,” the company said in a press release this week.
“…Not only is Housing a lightening rod issue for Government, overwhelmingly the public feel the Government is getting it wrong. Almost nine in ten (88 per cent) verbatim comments on Housing are negative in sentiment.”
Speaking of immigration, the consulting firm said: “Immigration is somewhat less topical this wave, but still features prominently. After peaking at 24 per cent in January, mentions of Immigration have declined month on month, falling to 12 per cent in this latest poll.”
On the issue of the cost of living and inflation, the company said: “The Cost of Living/Inflation is on the rise again as a topic of conversation, mentioned by six per cent nationally, and by nine percent of working-class respondents.”
Each Snapshot poll features responses from a random national sample of 1,000 Irish adults over the age of 15.