Byelection candidates are confirmed as campaigns ramp up
From Irish Times Inside Politics by The Irish Times
May 1, 2026 · 50 min
About this episode
The episode discusses the confirmed candidates for the upcoming byelections and the implications of government policies on Ukrainian accommodation and homelessness in Ireland.
Ellen Coyne and Pat Leahy join Hugh Linehan to look back on the week in politics: · There are now 14 candidates confirmed as running in Dublin Central and 17 candidates in Galway West in the upcoming byelections on May 22nd. And while it looks like a tussle between those representing centre-left parties in the capital, Independent Ireland councillor Noel Thomas already looks to be the frontrunner in Galway West. · Sinn Féin are hopeful of a byelection win in leader Mary Lou McDonald’s own constituency of Dublin Central, not least because of reported unrest, albeit privately, over the party’s future direction under McDonald’s leadership. · And the Government announced this week that it will begin a six-month process of withdrawing tourist and commercial accommodation housing up to 16,000 Ukrainians here from August, coupled with the winding down of the Accommodation Recognition Payment (ARP) scheme which will see the €600 monthly payment to hosts reducing to €400 in September and ceasing next March. What impact will this have on homeless figures and the number…
People in this episode
Host: Hugh Linehan
Guests: Ellen Coyne, Pat Leahy
Topics covered
- byelections
- political candidates
- Sinn Féin
- Ukrainian accommodation
- homelessness
- Irish politics
Keywords
- byelection candidates
- Dublin Central
- Galway West
- Sinn Féin
- Ukrainian accommodation
- homelessness
- Irish politics
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Sinn Féin
Places: Dublin Central, Galway West, Ireland
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