Labour leader Alan Kelly and the party’s candidate in the upcoming Dublin Bay South by-election, Ivana Bacik, have said it is “insulting” for Fine Gael and Sinn Fein to create a Punch and Judy style contest.
Speaking at the official launch of Senator Bacik’s campaign for a Dáil seat on Wednesday, Labour TD Duncan Smith said all other political parties are “looking over their shoulders” at his party while Ms Bacik said: “I don’t fear anyone.”
Both Fine Gael and Sinn Fein have pulled political punches as the contest has heated up and have been blasted for believing it’s a competition just between them.
Speaking on Wednesday, Mr Kelly said: “There are political parties who are trying to paint this as an electoral test between two extremes.
“I think that is insulting to the electorate of Dublin Bay South.
“The people in Ireland don’t like extremes.”
Ms Bacik added: “It’s disrespectful to voters to paint it as an either or contest between a Punch and Judy alternative.
“What we’re hearing from people is they want someone who is a serious legislator who is committed to introducing real solutions to tackle those four issues that are so important for those people in this area.”
The four key issues she believes need to be addressed are housing, climate, care and community.
She said the government has “failed” and there is a lack of supply, unaffordable rents and a lack of security for renters because of their “developer-led model.”
She said Labour wants a rent freeze for three years to help struggling tenants.
Another focus for her campaign is affordable childcare and a new care model for older people.
She said she is a cycling activist and there needs to be a new plan for Dublin Bay to “promote and enhance greater access to amenities.”
Labour also wants better public amenities and better community facilities such as more accessible pitches as there is “no decent facilities for children to play sports.”
Mr Kelly admitted this election will be a test to his leadership of the party but also a test for all other political parties.
It’s expected people will go to the ballot boxes around July 8.
He said: “Is it a test? Of course it is.
“It’s a test for every political party but most of all it’s a test of what people are thinking as we come out of Covid.
“This is the first electoral test where we will see how people think about that because Ireland will never be the same again [after Covid].
“This is the first electoral test for this government in relation to where we’re going as a country and we in the Labour party believe Ireland needs a new social contract with the people.”
