Hello and welcome to Inside Politics’ election roundup.

It’s been a week since general election was called and we have our first opinion poll taken during the campaign in today’s Irish Times. This is good news for Fine Gael: at 25 percent, the party has a clear lead over its competitors In Fianna Fail And Sinn Féinboth at 19 percent.

There is a caveat, however; Good Gael is down a few points, and Simon HarrisThe satisfaction rate is down five points. It is true that he remains the leader of the most popular party in the country. And the poll shows that Fine Gael is now clearly ahead in this election. But the decline in ratings for Harris and her party will still be enough to keep everyone on their toes. It wouldn’t take much for the race to start looking very close.

Here is the full list of figures: Fine Gael 25 percent (down by two); Sinn Féin 19 percent (down one); Fianna Fail 19 percent (no change); THE Green Party 3 percent (down by two); Work 5 percent (down by one); THE social democrats 4 percent (no change); People before profit Solidarity 2 percent (no change); Aontú 3 percent (up two). Independents are at 20 percent (up four).

So, apart from Fine Gael, the big winners are the independents, whose support gains four points, and they can expect significant seat gains if these figures – or something similar – are repeated on polling day. However, they could be involved in the formation of the next government.

Pat Leahy’s analysis reveals that because many voters are unlikely to make up their minds before election day, the race seems to be tightening again; Damian Loscher’s point of view is that a change in leadership likely gave Fine Gael a mid-year boostand the Special Election Daily podcast believes independents will be a force to be reckoned with next time.

funny war

The phoney war between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil continued yesterday with the dismissal of Simon Harris. Michael MartinThe call for a “ceasefire” between them, launched the day before on the Indo’s podcast.

“I think after he said that, he then launched the attack,” Harris told reporters. “Giving the feeling of being attacked while attacking is an interesting way of doing things. »

Harris said that during an election it was important to debate ideas without getting personal and that there were political differences between his party and Fine Gael. “The fact that we are debating this is a good thing,” he said.

In all honesty, he’s right. There are political differences between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil. They are simply not as significant as the political differences between Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil on the one hand, and most of the opposition on the other.

Jack Horgan-Jones was there.

Are you going to pay for this?

Asked about Fine Gael’s commitment to eventually abolishing the means test for carers, while increasing the amount people can earn without losing the right to payment to €2,500 for a couple and €1,250 for a individual person, Harris said all costs would be in the manifesto, which is due to be launched on Sunday.

A review into the future of carer payment is expected to be completed in December, he said. But those responsible for Department of Social Protection have already examined it. The cost of the measure would amount to 600 million euros based on current commitments, but it could reach 2 billion euros.

Everything was discussed yesterday Election daily podcast.

Less space at the hostel

Most parties – and certainly the three main parties – have hardened their line on immigration. It was probably Sinn Féein who toughened him up the most. Yesterday, Mary Lou McDonald revealed the party’s immigration plan, which is more or less the same as the one he released over the summer. It contains a commitment that no more asylum centers will be located in working-class communities, but rather in wealthier neighborhoods. Jennifer Bray has the story.

Criminal Candidate

Among the candidates who applied yesterday was Gerry “the Monk” Hutch, the friendly local gangster from Dublin Central. There was not a warm welcome from the local TDs.

“I represent communities that have suffered from this so-called gang war,” said Mary Lou McDonald. “I represent communities that suffered the ravages of the heroin epidemic in the 1980s. I categorically condemn Gerry Hutch, or anyone else involved in crime.

Pascal Donohoe said communities in the region should “put the days of organized crime behind us”, warning of the “terrible, terrible damage” it has caused.

Simon Harris was even more direct. “It’s important that we don’t treat this person as some sort of minor celebrity. He is a person who brought misery and crime to this capital. He’s not a celebrity. He’s a criminal.

Show me the money

Cliff Taylor is keeping a close eye spending promises.

This is the question on everyone’s lips: what are the Trinity students saying about the elections?

Campaign diary

Fianna Fáil will launch a plan to tackle crime and keep communities safe with James Browne, Fiona O’Loughlin and Jim O’Callaghan.

Labour’s health spokesman Duncan Smith will be joined by candidates Conor Sheehan and Martha Fanning for the launch of the party’s health and social care policy.

The Soc Dems will launch their housing policy in Marino at 10:45 a.m. Cian O’Callaghan and Cllr Jen Cummins will be in attendance.

Fine Gael will outline its strengthening plan An Garda Síochánaimprove community safety and strengthen national security. Helen McEntee, Jennifer Carroll MacNeill and Barry Ward were all in attendance.

People Before Profit will hold a press photoshoot and interview on Stephen’s Green to highlight its call for free and frequent public transport to reduce emissions and end car pollution and traffic congestion. Richard Boyd Barrett and Paul Murphy will be present.

At Wolfe Tone Park (next to Jervis Mall) this morning, the Green Party will unveil its policies to improve transportation safety. Representatives will discuss policies such as introducing speeding fines based on the offender’s disposable income, greater deployment of cameras and livable cities with safe routes to schools. Neasa Hourigan, Patrick Costello, David Healy will be there.

Best Reads

FF and FG should stop the quarrelssaid Stephen Collins.

Left-wing parties we should also stop the quarrelssays Justine McCarthy. We are very opposed to quarrels this morning.

Good coverage of Trump cabinet appointmentsincluding the appointment of vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy jnr as US health secretary, a bit like making Richard Dawkins the pope.

What the newspapers say

The examiner has a warning about climate change on its first page.

The tabloids, predictably, prefer the Gerry Hutch angle. “From bail to polls, Hutch in bizarre bid for Dáil” said the Mail.

The Indo received a warning from a union leader that the new government could face strikes in the public sector in a few weeks

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