‘It is infuriating’: Public discussion over cost of living crisis held in Newbridge, County Kildare

A public discussion which concentrated on highlighting the impact of the cost-of-living crisis (COL) in Ireland was held in Newbridge Town Hall on Thursday evening last.

The event for the Cost of Living Coalition (COLC) for Kildare was chaired by Social Democrats councillor Chris Pender and featured Sinn Féin (SF) TD Patricia Ryan, People Before Profit member (PBP) Joe Conroy and Ciara Bennett, a volunteer with The Dining Room in Newbridge.

Also in attendance on the evening in question were SF Cllr Noel Connolly, SF TD Réada Cronin, SF members Joanne Pender, Joe Burke, Michael Connolly and Joseph Faney, and PBP member Paul Mahon.

Speaking at the meeting, Mr Conroy said that the COLC was founded last May, and was set up to highlight the cost-of-living crisis and 'demand that the government take more action and protect income (of the Irish people).'

He said: "The narrative by the government at first was that recent inflation was caused by the war in Ukraine.

"The government produced a €14 million package in the Budget, but there are shortcomings in that budget. They are not going after the corporations and won't impose wealth tax on these corporations."

Mr Conroy also criticised what he called a 'minimal' increase in minimum wage.

At this point, an audience member interjected by saying: "People need to wake up, and Sinn Féin need to go for the jugular."

Continuing with his points, Mr Conroy spoke about how when he recently handed out leaflets about the COL crisis to people, people declined to read it, telling him that they know about the crisis as 'they are living it.'

Left to Right: Joe Conroy of People Before Profit, Ciara Bennett, volunteer at The Dining Room Newbridge, Social Democrats councillor and meeting chairperson Chris Pender and Sinn Féin TD Patricia Ryan.

"We are saying (to the government) that right now is that 'rainy day', and we need to put pressure on government councillors and TDs to take immediate and radical action," he added.

Mr Conroy also said he advocated for making public transport free, and for 'militancy in the trade union scene.'

Referring to the latter point, he said: "Unions need to be doing what they were set up for," he said.

He also said that there was 'an absolute need' for windfall tax on energy companies.

Ms Bennett then spoke, and while she insisted that she was apolitical, she wished to highlight the effects of the COL crisis she has seen on people who are engaging with The Dining Room.

She highlighted the concerns she has over food poverty, which she said is tied to the crisis: "Food poverty comes from a lot of things: it can come from a lack of money and cooking skills, a lack of knowledge to make food last, and a lack of shops, although I don't think the latter is really a problem for Newbridge."

Ms Bennett continued by saying that hunger can go on to affect a person's concentration levels and mental wellbeing, which in turn can affect their job performance, and in the case of children, their performance at school.

She also said that this can also result in people over-relying on fast-food or sugary snacks as a means for short-term gratification, and that there is often a link between food poverty and homelessness.

Ms Bennett estimated that around 10 per cent of Newbridge's population, or just over 2,000 people, suffer from food poverty.

In addition, she said that The Dining Room has seen an uptick in engagement, but a reduction in donations.

Cllr Pender, who also volunteers with The Dining Room, then spoke about how important it was to have Ms Bennett at the meeting, in order to inform people of 'the cold face of the situation.'

He said that he himself works two different jobs, in addition to his role as a councillor.

Cllr Pender continued: "The government (think they) released this magical budget, but when I look at my nieces and nephews, I see the effects (of the cost-of-living crisis).

"A lot of parents are also finding themselves in debt just to provide their kids with what should be free education."

Joe Conroy, PBP, speaking at the event. Beside him is Ciara Bennett of The Dining Room in Newbridge.

"Even before this spike in inflation, Ireland was among the top-two most expensive EU countries to live in; it is infuriating."

He also recalled how, earlier that day, he had to walk a homeless man into a hostel because he was kicked out of his apartment, and 'had no hope in fighting the landlord.'

Cllr Pender then said that it was his belief that the current eviction ban is just 'a watered-down protection for the government's landlord friends.'

He also alleged: "I know of people who have been kicked out by landlords who falsely accused them of anti-social behaviour, just to get them out of accommodation.

"Enough is enough, we need to stop accepting the bare minimum from the government," Cllr Pender said: "I don't see protection for renters, I see protection for landlords."

Patricia Ryan then spoke, where she said: "With respect to Ciara (Ms Bennett), I think we have to be political.

"Over the last few months, I have seen motion after motion regarding the cost-of-living crisis."

Ms Ryan, who is also the SF spokesperson for Older People and Budgetary Insight, also expressed concerns over food poverty for older people, in addition to a lack of funding for local care centres and childcare facilities.

She further said: "I do not think the current rent freeze is enough."

Ms Ryan also hit out at Housing Minister Daragh O' Brien and Health Minister Stephen Donnelly, adding about the latter that he 'is not fit for purpose.'

She insisted that the group should follow the example of the Water Charge protestors, a sentiment which was heavily supported by PBP's Joe Conroy.

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OPEN SESSION

After she aired her thoughts, the floor was opened up for an open session.

At one point, Joe Burke said that he would like to highlight the effect the cost-of-living crisis is having on old-age pensioners (OAPs), which he says isn't being addressed in the government — 'they are being marginalised,' he said.

In response, Cllr Pender acknowledged that he too has heard nothing about this issue, and said that he would pass on Mr Burke's concerns to his party.

Cllr Pender also briefly pointed to Finland's housing policy as an example of a housing model that Ireland should follow.

The same audience member who interjected earlier also criticised the media for 'presenting one-way debates' and received a round of applause when he suggested that Eoin Ó Broin should be Ireland's new housing minister.

Another audience member hit out at the presence of derelict buildings in Ireland, and especially in County Kildare.

"How is it not considered vandalism to leave these homes empty for so long?" he asked.

Michael Connolly then suggested that they 'use the government's narrative against them.'

He explained that, if the government 'claims that were are in emergency, then we should implement emergency measures.'

"There should be price controls, and if you are profiteering, you should be called out on it," he added.

Cllr Noel Connolly also weighed in, where he emphasised the importance of trade unions, whom he said helped him when he lost his job a number of years ago due to illness.

He also encouraged anyone with strong political views to join a political party in order to share their views.

Cllr Connolly also said he supported rent controls, and added that mental health services in Ireland need to be examined too.

He concluded his point by mentioning a Raise the Roof protest would take place on November 26 at Parnell Square in Dublin at 1pm.