The big issues of General Election 2024 in Kilkenny - Immigration

A major issue on the doorsteps across Kilkenny over the duration of the campaign trail has been the issue of immigration.

Over the last term of government, immigration into the country has soared - fuelled predominantly by the ongoing war in Ukraine and increasing numbers of asylum seekers from other countries.

Many people have criticised the government’s handling of immigration, and multiple local communities have been lashing out about a lack of on-the-ground consultation with them.

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It has proven to be a rather divisive issue amongst constituents, and that has manifested itself in same-day demonstrations in Kilkenny City recently by ‘Kilkenny For All’ and ‘Kilkenny Says No’ - where immigration was a central issue.

Whilst many people recognise that the State has a duty to protect refugees and asylum seekers that arrive here, others will claim that the nation, and Kilkenny, has already done its ‘fair share’.

The candidates that are running in Kilkenny differ widely in their outlook on this issue, and the nuances of their rationale may sway or scare off potential voters.

It perhaps goes without saying that this issue could be a red button issue for many constituents, and candidates will know this too.

Assurances that communication between the Department of Integration and local communities will improve in the next government will undoubtedly be asked for by many people at the doors.

Oftentimes the immigration discussion spills over into conversation about the availability of accommodation, school places and local services.

It’s a line of conversation that can easily boil over into a heated ‘us versus them’ argument, but it’s much more nuanced than that.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, emigration is also a huge issue, with many young local people leaving Ireland to pursue career opportunities abroad, predominantly in Australia and Canada.

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