USE YOUR VOTE

The latest opinion poll at the weekend made for interesting reading with just days to go until polls open.

The Sunday Independent/Ireland Thinks poll, which was carried out on Thursday and Friday of last week, had Simon Harris (FG) and Micheál Martin (FF) neck and neck in the approval ratings.

What wasn’t published, was the individual constituency data.

In the case of Cavan and Monaghan, it threw up a few shocks and surprises.

If the trend were to bear out, the poll suggests Deputy Niamh Smyth (FF) would lose her seat; while Deputy Brendan Smith (FF) would just make it over the line to claim the last seat.

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Interestingly - the poll returns three Monaghan candidates in the first three seats - Deputy Matt Carthy (SF), Cllr David Maxwell (FG) and Senator Robbie Gallagher (FF). It puts Deputy Pauline Tully (SF) in fourth position and Deputy Brendan Smith (FF) scraping in ahead of Shane P. O’Reilly and Aontú’s Sarah O’Reilly. Shockingly, it has the two Cavan Fine Gael candidates - Cllrs T.P. O’Reilly and Carmel Brady - even further down the list.

Here are a few points to remember:

- Opinion polls come with a health warning and only take a small sample of the electorate (in this case 761 people or just one per cent of the expected total valid poll).

- The poll only takes account of first preferences and does not reflect where transfers might fall, politically and geographically speaking.

- And the most important point, not a single vote has actually being cast yet!

You have your opportunity to have your say this Friday and vote for the candidate you would like to see represent you and your interests in the Dáil. And continue your vote on the ballot paper - 1 to 20 - to maximise your say and ensure your vote lives on in the event your top candidate is eliminated.

Do your research. Read our candidate profiles. Read the leaflets that have dropped through the door. And cast your vote.

There’s no point in praising or complaining about the government or services or anything else if you haven’t exercised your right to vote.

Make your voice heard!

Linda O’Reilly, Managing Editor