‘There can be change and we have to hold on to that hope’

Sinn Féin hosted a public meeting on the cost-of-living crisis in Letterkenny, which is one of a series that have been held around the country, including in Galway, Laois and Kerry

Published 4th Jun 2026, 00:30 BST Updated 4th Jun 2026, 11:16 BST The public meeting on the cost of living crisis, hosted by Sinn Féin's Deputy Leader, Pearse Doherty TD, Cllr Dakota Nic Mheanman and Padraig MacLochlainn TD | Photo: Thomas Gallagher Sinn Féin hosted a public meeting on the cost-of-living crisis in Letterkenny, which is one of a series that have been held around the country, including in Galway, Laois and Kerry Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.

“Hope” has been the overarching message at Sinn Féin’s public meeting in Letterkenny on the cost-of-living crisis.

The well-attended event was hosted by Sinn Féin TD, Deputy Dáil Leader and Finance Spokesperson, Pearse Doherty and Sinn Féin TD, Chief Whip and Spokesperson on Fisheries and the Marine, Padraig MacLochlainn, at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

The public meeting on the cost of living crisis, hosted by Sinn Féin's Deputy Leader, Pearse Doherty TD and Padraig MacLochlainn TD | Thomas Gallagher “We have organised this public meeting to address the growing financial pressure on families, workers and pensioners across the county,” Councillor Dakota Nic Mheanman said. “The people of Donegal are continuing to feel the impact of rising living costs while the government refuses to use the resources available to find meaningful relief.

“Families, workers and pensioners are all struggling. The cost of groceries, energy bills, insurance, childcare and housing costs. Many people are working hard doing everything right and yet they still find themselves under financial pressure. Young people across Donegal are losing hope of ever being able to buy a home.

“Every year Sinn Féin publishes a comprehensive, fully costed set of budget proposals. We do this to show that from day one in government we will deliver real change, for you, your family and everyone around you in the community.

“This is why we have organised to have this public meeting to engage with you, the public, on these matters that are pressing.”

The alternative budget proposes a €2.5 billion cost-of-living package aimed at supporting workers and families. The budget is targeted at reducing the cost of living, addressing the housing crisis, and expanding healthcare delivery.

The party also have an emphasis on Irish Unity, which they state “a United Ireland would not only allow for economic and political progress, but it would present an opportunity for a reset – an opportunity for people on this island from every background to shape a new Ireland,” according to the 2026 budget.

Read More Public meeting on the cost-of-living crisis to be held in Letterkenny Council to write to Minister over concerns EU laws will affect cross-border transport Request made for Donegal County Council to support research study into DCB scheme “Unfortunately, people are turning out to these meetings because life is getting harder and crucially people want to be heard,” Teachta Doherty told the crowd. “Tonight is about us listening to your story and concerns as the messengers of the people. I know that people are finding it really tough, so many people that are losing hope, feeling like they have a government who aren’t listening to them and that they are being locked out as a result of the housing crisis.

“Our message to them is to hold on to that hope because a better Ireland is possible. Change happens not in the corridors of power, on the floors of the Dáil, but change happens in our communities and through conversations like this.

“We can actually beat the system if we have that belief and determination and sometimes it only takes one or two people to create that spark. Right throughout history it has been one or two people who have created a spark that has led to revolutions, enlightening communities.

“We see it in our own backyard here with the civil rights movement, with Kieran Nugent in 1976 refusing to wear that prison uniform and we saw it with Rosa Parks refusing to take that seat on the bus. When people stand up and say, this is it, no further, I have had enough and I am going to push back against the system, because I know that something is wrong.

“There is something seriously wrong in this country. Ireland is a fantastic country, so proud of our people, our beauty, our culture, and our heritage, but we are not being allowed to unleash the ambition that Irish people have, because our government is not listening to people. There are far too many people struggling right across society, from young to old and all in between.

“The conversation tonight is about ideas: how do we change that? We know, every single day in our constituency office, we hear the stories; people are really worried about energy bills. We have the highest in Europe and now we have companies announcing double-digit increases to take effect in the next few weeks.

“What did the government do? They withdrew any support that people had to actually pay for their electricity. There is something fundamentally wrong in the Ireland of 2026 when we have a Minister for Finance boasting about recording a surplus of €11.2 billion last year, and €9.2 billion euro this year and there are 320,000 families that cannot pay their electricity bills.

“I think looking at the numbers, sometimes people get numb to it and it gets normalised and we should never allow some of the things that are happening in this country to be normalised.

“It is not normal to have 320,000 families that can’t pay electricity bills; it is not normal to have to wait 23 hours to get seen at A&E; it is not normal that we have families that cannot get accommodation because they are locked out of rent and cannot afford to own their own homes. These are all things that have been created, not because of natural disasters, not because of acts of god, but through government policy. Successive governments of Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael.

“The things I say to people is, this is not about doom and gloom. We know the challenges, we know the pain, we know the suffering that people are going through, but there can be change and we have to hold on to that hope. Because while these conditions were created by failed government policy, they can also be changed by the right policies. Change can happen right here right now.

“We have seen it as the opposition; we have forced government into positions that they don’t want to be. When I started arguing that renters needed support because landlords are ripping them off and I said we needed rent relief, the government said absolutely not. I kept at it and now every single renter is entitled to that relief because of the work that Sinn Féin has done.

“When I argued that mortgage holders are being fleeced by their banks and I argued we needed tax relief for mortgage interest rates, again the government argued for years and wouldn’t do it. But again, we would not give up and that's why over the last three years mortgage holders have received the equivalent of billions of euros in their pockets.

“We are showing that we have a focused campaign and were relentless in the pursuit of it; we can actually deliver change. The change that we need right here right now is a cost of living package, with the cornerstone of energy credits. It is about the immediate support that will help people pay their bills.

“We also need support for those on social welfare, those with disabilities, carers, pensioners and families. Sinn Féin are also putting forward a motion that excise duty should be removed from home heating oil during this crisis.

“Two-thirds of people in this county rely on oil to heat their homes and we need to make it cheaper. But to give you the best example of the government's priorities, while they wouldn’t cut excise duty on home heating oil, they cut 17 cent per litre on private jet fuel. That sums up the reality of this government.

“There are campaigners in this meeting here, have been writing and writing: disability activists, people trying to get justice for what happened in Creeslough, our defective homeowners. They have to campaign and campaign to have their voices heard. However, if you are a CEO or have the right initials after your name, it is an open door in terms of the corridors of power.

“It is through your stories and struggles that fuel me, Padraig and all of our elected representatives to continue to get up in the morning and deliver change, and that a better Ireland is brought about.”

Related topics: Sinn Fein Cost of living crisis Cost of living Letterkenny Donegal Pearse Doherty Dakota Nic Mheanman Sign up to our Donegal Live newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know you can manage your profile, and explore all of the available newsletters from Donegal Live within your account.