Dublin North-West candidate debate in DCU 

By Seán Salinger

Seven candidates contesting the election in Dublin North-West clashed yesterday on issues regarding, housing, cost of living and public transport at a Dublin North-West candidate debate, as the general election campaign reaches its crescendo. 

Candidates from Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil, Sinn Féin, Aontú, People Before Profit, Social Democrats and the Green Party participated in the debate. 

Debating in Dublin City University’s Glasnevin campus, Social Democrats housing spokesperson, Rory Hearne launched a scathing attack on the government parties saying the housing crisis is “shameful”, adding the public has a “historic opportunity for real change”, yet refused to rule out going into government with either Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael. 

Hearne, who is running in place of former Social Democrats leader, Róisín Shortall got into a fiery clash with sitting Fianna Fáil TD, Paul McAuliffe on housing.

McAuliffe criticised Shortall’s, objection to property development in Ballymun, opposite IKEA. 

McAuliffe said Fianna Fáil is already delivering affordable homes in Dublin, saying a three-bed house on Oscar Traynor Road in Coolock is costing €360,000.

There was a heated exchange with People Before Profit candidate, Conor Reddy who said houses in that same development were going for close to €500,000. 

In June 2024, a three-bed house in that development, launched at between €400,000 and €475,000.

However, since Dublin City Council took a higher stake in the homes, prices now start at €361,000 for the three-bed houses. 

Among those debating was long-standing Sinn Féin TD Dessie Ellis.

Ellis pitched his party’s radical new plan would see the government retain ownership of the land on which new houses are built, creating a secondary market where the house can only be sold to buyers eligible for the affordable housing scheme. 

Ellis faced questions about the bank’s willingness to lend for such properties but insisted that his party is “confident” the banks would work with Sinn Féin if elected. 

Green Pary candidate, Caroline Conroy said the absence of light rail on the Northside is “shocking” while Fine Gael candidate, Noel Rock said he was disappointed with the government’s failure to deliver a light rail service for the Northside which was scheduled to be finished by 2027, he said that the project is now due to begin in 2027.