'The city is full of phone and vape shops': the local issues for Waterford's candidates

"The city is full of phone and vape shops," lamented one local voter, "It's sad to see lovely small businesses like Finders Keepers close up shop. How would you attract new companies and brands to Waterford and how would you support small businesses who can't afford high rent prices?"

Local voters' issues can be little noticed in the frantic charm offensive of a General Election as the party leaders run from pint-pulling to dog petting to baby-holding photo opportunities. 

To counter this, we asked the Déise to tell us the issues and questions most informing their vote at the polls on Friday.

"What are your top three priorities for Waterford and the South East," one local offered. "Do you believe that Waterford has been left behind?" another asked and how would candidates ensure that Waterford's issues are listened to by our "national overlords?" 

We asked every candidate in our General Election video interviews a version of all three of these questions.

One issue, which came up repeatedly, was housing. 37% of respondents raised the issues of housing, evictions or rising rents, more than any other single issue.

"What will you do to stop homelessness and help young people to get their own homes?"

"Will you commit to a permanent ban on no-fault evictions?"

"Do you envisage a role for the public sector in the provision of additional housing opportunities in Waterford, Tramore, Dungarvan and other areas?"

The big three political infrastructural projects were a constant presence, the airport (25% of responses), the hospital (17%) and the college (13%). 

Some voters even mentioned all three at once (7%); "Why is Waterford the only city without an airport, 24/7 cardiac care and a full university?" one such voter asked.

Climate came up too - eleven times, along with traffic eight times and "illegal dumping" - twice.

"What is one unpopular decision you would be prepared to make for the greater good but which people might object to even though long term it was important?" Running in the election might be their answer to that, one supposes.

Another issue was about the Waterford-Kilkenny border in Ferrybank, "What is your opinion on expanding the borough boundary in Ferrybank?" one person queried, "What is the party's position on the Waterford/Kilkenny boundary in Ferrybank?" asked another.

Of course, not everyone was wondering about the substantive issues - "If you're so smart, why are you in politics?" asked one voter.

Some voters wondered if they should even vote, "Nothing ever seems to change so what's the point of even voting?" 

Either way, we'll find out which candidates answered Waterford's local questions very soon.