Working class communities feel ‘ignored and disrespected’ by the government, the Dáil committee hears

“Social class remains a key determinant of satisfaction with democracy,” said Executive Director Dr. Shana Cohen.

“When we asked which groups within Irish society were treated most unfairly, the most frequently mentioned group in (our) audit were people living in disadvantaged communities, followed by people with disabilities.

As someone recently told me, the government does not trust working-class communities, and the residents of these communities feel ignored and disrespected.

“Councils would prefer to work with middle-class charities representing these areas, rather than directly with the people who live there.”

She added that research Tasc had conducted in deprived areas recently revealed distrust and disinterest in the political process, as people felt policymaking was not helping them in their lives.

Dr. Cohen focused on far-right activists, saying they “deliberately spread disinformation” and can inspire trust “because they say, ‘I’m going to make things happen for you’”.

Although only a few such candidates were elected in the last local elections, she said “they have more impact than their electoral success”.

“I would say just by spending time in communities, I would say they have more influence because they are constantly on social media, they are generating disinformation about migrants or asylum seekers or direct services or whatever they are trying to cover” , she said.

“That doesn’t mean their influence isn’t greater than the representation they have, especially in a local area.”

When Dr. Asked why it might be the case that “liberal democratic values” are in decline in deprived areas, Cohen said there was a “disengagement from politics.”

“I think it’s more that they feel like the political class isn’t responding quickly enough or taking them seriously enough,” she said.

Dr. Cohen added that a goal of her group was to narrow the gap between the public and politicians and demonstrate that democracy works for everyone.

Labor TD Brendan Howlin, noting he was attending what would be his final committee hearing before he steps down at the next general election after 42 years in the Dáil, told Dr Cohen he disagreed with the sentiment that the Government working class does not trust. communities.

“It’s a very profound statement, but I don’t think it’s representative,” he said. “My constituency office is in the heart of working-class Wexford.

“I am obviously not representative of the government, but I think there is an intimacy in Ireland between politicians (and communities) that is almost unique in my experience. Because our electoral system requires people to put a marker directly opposite a named candidate, rather than simply voting for a party.”

Mr Howlin also said there was a real problem in the “noticeable change” in public attitudes post-Covid.

It is the rise of the right, questioning the truth, establishing alternative truth, and people cocooning themselves in their own perspective to be empowered.

“And the question for democratic politics is: how can we overcome that?”

Fianna Fáil’s Seán Haughey, who is also set to retire from politics, questioned why such discontent is being seen among voters in deprived areas.

“I have deprived areas in my constituency and I understand the problems,” he said. “Over the years we have tried different things with things like government, investment and renovation of Darndale.

“Various plans have come and gone and nothing ever seems to work. I can’t say ‘we didn’t try’. Although things have improved compared to forty years ago.”

Meanwhile, Sinn Féin TD Ruairí Ó Murchú said the withdrawal from politics had been amplified by social media and more needed to be done to identify and engage in working-class areas.

“The social media companies have been completely disgraceful in what they allow,” he added. “And they make money from it, so these are happy days (for them), but this has an impact.”