'Don't have a heart attack on a weekend': On the campaign trail with Labour in Waterford
Candidate Sadhbh O'Neill with her team out canvassing.
It was a chilly night for cold callers, but residents in Cleaboy received General Election candidate Sadhbh O’Neill with grace and a willingness to listen.
The Waterford News & Star went on the campaign trail with the new Labour candidate in Ashley Court and Beechwood this week.
Not many residents opened their doors, and of those that did, they didn’t stop to talk long.
With the evening that was in it, that wasn’t a surprise.
From those who braved the elements, the short responses were mostly positive.
This, Ms O’Neill said, was not unusual.
“People are just gorgeous,” said Ms O’Neill.
Most people must be sick of the constant leaflet drops, but the residents of Ashley Court and Beechwood accepted Labour’s literature saying they would take the candidate's request for a number one vote under consideration.
Most residents said they would consider voting for the Labour candidate, with just one man responding he would not vote for anyone.
He was rather aggressive about it but did take a leaflet.
The main issues on the night were the cardiac unit at University Hospital Waterford, Waterford Airport (or its lack of an adequate runway) and frustration with both the government parties and the opposition candidates.
One resident, who described himself in the “heart attack bracket”, said he would consider voting for anyone outside of the current government parties.
The man’s main issue was the cardiac unit at UHW.
He said he was worried that were he to have a heart attack that evening, he would have to be taken to Cork.
Another resident said, “Don’t have a heart attack at the weekend.”
But she also said once one is in the hospital, the care is very good.
“I have nothing but good to say about the hospital,” said the resident.
A comment made by most who find themselves in Ireland’s most notorious hospitals, highlighting for many the role of politics in medicine.
Ms O’Neill told residents that Labour has a plan and not just for Waterford Hospital, and, of course, that she understood their fear.
A key issue on the doorsteps was Waterford Airport.
Not surprising, perhaps, because of the media attention over recent weeks.
Residents in Ashley Park had very definite views about the benefits they saw in Waterford Airport.
One resident said Dublin was two hours away, and that was too far, especially when you consider that the M50 is extremely busy.
There is a long journey before you actually make it to the airport.
He also pointed out that the rail service is underdeveloped, which gives people little option but to brave the M50.
Another resident thought a local airport might improve congestion, with fewer people coming from and going to Dublin.
That resident also said she thought having an airport in Waterford would bring more business to the city.
So, for residents, the airport was not just about planes, but roads, traffic, time and investment in the region.
There was a general frustration with not only the current government but the opposition candidates.
One resident said her main issue was with all parties.
She told us she felt like the government was throwing around a “bonanza of money”.
She said she knows the country is “flush” but a downturn will come as it has before.
“Did we learn anything from last time,” said the resident.
The resident also said that while the cost of living measures were helpful, they should not be universal.
She said she would have supported the current government parties in previous elections, but right now they need to introduce targeted measures for those who are struggling the most.
Another resident said he watched the debate on RTÉ last week, and he was not impressed.
“I watched that debate the other night and went to bed fuming,” he said.
