Ireland: the issues set to shape the 2024 General Election 

From housing and healthcare to the economy and geopolitics: the issues set to shape the 2024 General Election 

The Irish General Election has been called. Scheduled for Friday 29 November, what are the core themes to populate the election trail debate? Here, we delve into some of the primary issues likely to dominate the campaign and how:

1. Housing Crisis and Affordable Living
   

Housing remains the most pressing concern for many Irish citizens. With high rents, limited supply, and skyrocketing property prices, the electorate demands substantial change. Political parties are set to propose solutions that range from boosting social and affordable housing stock to rent controls and incentives for first-time buyers. This issue is especially critical for younger voters and families who feel the squeeze of an increasingly unattainable housing market. The party presenting a credible, actionable plan could secure pivotal support in urban and suburban constituencies.

2. Healthcare System Improvements
   

Ireland’s healthcare system, despite its many strengths, continues to face significant challenges, such as long waiting lists and staffing shortages. With healthcare accessibility a top concern, parties will push policies to improve funding, reduce wait times, and increase healthcare staffing. The future of Sláintecare, Ireland’s long-discussed universal healthcare proposal, will likely resurface as candidates debate its implementation. The electorate will seek clear, achievable commitments that promise more efficient and equitable care.

3. Climate Action and Sustainability
   

Climate change has become a central concern for Irish voters in recent years, underscored by recent floods and extreme weather events. Parties will be challenged to present comprehensive climate policies, including ambitious renewable energy goals and strategies to manage agricultural emissions without alienating rural voters. 

Agriculture remains an important sector of the Irish economy, contributing significantly to rural employment and local economies and is a core part of the national identity. However, it is also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane from livestock. This dual reality makes climate policy politically sensitive, where parties must navigate between ambitious climate commitments and safeguarding rural interests. The balance between urgent climate action and protecting the livelihoods of farmers and rural communities will be a contentious aspect of this debate. 

Political parties must craft climate policies that resonate with both urban and rural voters. Those who can effectively communicate a strategy that integrates climate ambition with rural economic security may gain cross-demographic support. For instance, proposals that offer clear transition plans for farmers, such as funding for sustainable farming innovations or compensation for reduced livestock numbers, could strike a balance that appeals to both environmentally minded and agriculturally dependent voters.

4. Cost of Living and Economic Stability
   

Ireland’s economy has shown impressive growth over the past decade, driven by its status as a hub for multinational corporations and its strong export sector. However, the cost of living crisis is a pressing issue, with many households grappling with high inflation and economic uncertainty. Proposals addressing tax reliefs, welfare benefits, and strategies for economic growth will be heavily scrutinised. 

Ireland’s reliance on foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly from tech and pharmaceutical giants, has been a cornerstone of its economic policy. The attraction of multinational companies has boosted job creation and contributed significantly to tax revenue. Yet, recent global economic shifts, tech sector slowdowns, and changes in corporate taxation policies (e.g., OECD’s global tax reforms) raise questions about the sustainability of this model.

5. Social and Constitutional Issues
   

Ireland’s evolving social fabric means that issues such as gender equality, education reform, and further constitutional referendums may feature prominently. Candidates who can convincingly tie social progress to economic and legislative plans will likely capture attention, especially among progressive voters.

6. Geopolitics
   

Geopolitical factors, particularly Ireland’s position within the EU and its relationship with the UK post-Brexit, will also be influential. European influence remains an important foreign policy objective for any Irish government, including solidarity on the war in Ukraine and broader issues like sanctions, energy security, and humanitarian support. Michael McGrath, the former national finance minister and commissioner designate, is the Irish candidate for the Democracy, Justice and the Rule of Law portfolio within the Second von der Leyen Commission. His portfolio would include rule-of-law issues and consumer and data protection, critical issues for the Irish economy, and ones featured repeatedly in relations with other member states.

Elsewhere, the ongoing tensions in the Middle East involving Israel, Palestine, and Lebanon encapsulate a mix of voter concerns related to ethical foreign policy, economic stability, and Ireland’s role in the global community.

A familiar list of problems: will it provide some innovative solutions?

Economic performance, geopolitics and climate will resonate differently across voter groups. Urban voters, reliant on employment from multinational companies, will perhaps focus on policies that protect and promote FDI and economic growth. Younger, globally aware voters may value commitments to international solidarity, environmental considerations in trade, and ethical foreign policy. In contrast, older or rural voters may seek parties that offer assurances of economic and social stability amid international uncertainty.

As 29 November approaches, the confluence of these issues will shape the campaign's tone and substance. The significance of housing and healthcare in determining the everyday quality of life, the urgency of climate action for long-term sustainability, and the economic solutions needed to alleviate cost pressures make this election pivotal. A critical influence on the outcome will be the parties’ ability to tie their policy proposals to realistic, immediate outcomes convincingly. 

Ultimately, voters will be looking for a balance of visionary solutions and practical measures that can provide hope and stability in an era marked by change and uncertainty. However, many of these problems are present in countries around the world. Faced with the need to combat climate change while dealing with the inherent challenges it generates in terms of financial cost and the strain it places on ‘traditional’ industries, such as farming, balancing competing perspectives has proven challenging. Elsewhere, Ireland’s economy has been and continues to be a success story. Yet, though the election campaign need not reinvent it, the winners will likely face a developing world that puts its successful foundations under greater scrutiny. This election campaign demands an offering of practical solutions, but that’s only the start of it.