Economy the overriding issue for voters across constituency

IT’S the economy stupid — that’s the crystal clear message from voters in the constituency of Kerry South who haven’t been slow to voice their opinions on the big issue of election 2011.

Mirroring other constituencies throughout the country, the economic crisis and the lack of jobs are the primary concerns being raised on the doorsteps, with all other issues placed on the slow burner and held in storage for another time.

With well in excess of 17,000 on the live register in the county and few if any prospects of employment opportunities on the horizon, despairing voters in the key South Kerry towns of Killarney, Kenmare, Killorglin, Castleisland and Caherciveen have insisted enough is enough and they want a change of government in the hope that it will improve work opportunities.

With emigration taking its toll throughout the county, a whopping 72% said the economy and jobs will be their chief consideration when they decide on what way to vote.

All other issues came way down the priority list, with the health service, hospital care and waiting list difficulties the second most important issue, raised by 19% of those polled.

With fears for the future of local primary schools, as an obvious knock-on from the emigration brain drain, it comes as no surprise that education was described as a worry by 15%.

Other key issues were roads, infrastructure and traffic (15%); taxation (15%); inflation and the cost of living (6%) and childcare costs and availability (3%).

Surprisingly, in a county so heavily reliant on visitor numbers, the tourism industry was not raised as an issue by those surveyed, and just a tiny minority mentioned the environment as being of real concern.

Asked to outline the main reason for supporting a particular candidate, 28% said a real factor would be local issues on which the candidate has taken a stance, while 22% said the vote would be personal and dependent on the appeal of the candidate.

Just 18% said they would be anxious to vote along party lines, and 17% said they would base their opinions on the policies put forward by the candidates or parties.

Eight per cent said they would vote local if they shared the same area with a candidate while just 7% of Kerry South voters said they would be influenced by any of the party leaders.

The leader of the party was described as an important consideration by 15% of those who intended to vote for John O’Donoghue (FF) while Eamon Gilmore’s leadership was key for 12% of those who intend to support Cllr Marie Moloney.

With Fine Gael’s Brendan Griffin, 10% said the party leadership was a key reason while 9% of FG’s Tim Sheahan’s voters said likewise.