An Interview with Nick Delehanty
MEON is proud to present an interview with Nick Delehanty, an independent candidate running in the South East Inner City area for the 2024 local elections.
As a rule, MEON eschews day-to-day, topical issues – contemporary matters, such as elections, the minutiae of tax policy etc. fall, typically, outside our provenance.
Intermittently, however, matters of fundamental import and contemporary Irish life (normally a mundane affair) dovetail; the electoral campaign of Nick Delehanty is one such instance of this.
Throughout his campaign, Delehanty has stressed the need to crack down on crime, voiced his opposition to lukewarm immigration laws and the maladies that flow therefrom, and enunciated a critique of excessive and onerous bureaucratic red tape.
What differentiates Delehanty from other candidates, many of whom speak with equal candour and candidness on the aforesaid issues, is the developmentalist and forward looking current that underscores his rhetoric and concrete policy proposals.
On this basis, we have decided to conduct an interview with him. We thank Nick Delehanty, again, for agreeing to be interviewed.
MEON: Thus far in your campaign, particular attention has been paid to the slogan ‘Make Crime Illegal’, which adorns some of your posters. Whilst it has largely elicited a positive reaction, a minority of critics, possibly driven by uncharitable motives, have opted to interpret this statement literally and in a pedantic fashion – that is to say, they’ve made the inference that you’re ignorant of crime being de jure illicit.
For the sake of clarity, can you outline what exactly you mean by the statement: ‘Make Crime Illegal’?
Nick Delehanty: Thank you for the opportunity to clarify this. The slogan ‘Make Crime illegal’ was deliberately provocative, designed to capture attention and spark a much-needed conversation about the state of crime in Dublin. It is a call to action.
I did not expect it to go viral the way it did, but I was delighted because the aim was to the get the conversation started. It worked!
The slogan highlights the gap between the laws on the books and the reality on our streets. Yes, crime is de jure illegal, but the enforcement and consequences of criminal actions often fall short. We see this in the prevalence of suspended sentences and the leniency often shown towards repeat offenders, which undermines the rule of law and erodes public trust in the justice system.
Walking through Dublin’s inner city, it is evident that we are facing a serious crisis. Drug-related crime, anti-social behavior, joy-riding and public disorder are rampant. Zombie heroin addicts roam freely, and businesses are suffering due to the constant threat of theft and vandalism. I recently had a debate with someone who argued that “ah sure the zombies are harmless”!! That's not a standard we should accept!
The reality is that the residents no longer feel safe, and the sense of community has been severely eroded. We’ve reached a point where even basic standards of civil society are being compromised.
The intent behind ‘Make Crime illegal’ is to underscore the need for stricter enforcement of existing laws, ensuring that those who commit crimes face appropriate consequences. It's about making our streets safer and restoring a sense of order and accountability.
MEON: On social media, you’ve spoken about the Dublin Riots as a catalyst that spurred you to get involved in politics.
Would you be able to elaborate on its impact on you, your politics, and your decision to run for the 2024 local election?
Nick Delehanty: The horrific events of November 2023, when riots broke out following the brutal stabbing of several children by a deranged Algerian man, Riad Bouchaker, were a significant catalyst for me.
The stabbings and subsequent riots made me sit up and take a hard look at who is calling the shots.. It became clear that many of our senior ministers are completely out of their depth when it comes to handling such crises. This realisation was a wake-up call.
Just two weeks ago, while walking through Grand Canal, I witnessed another alarming incident outside the Marker Hotel, where a man with mental health and/or drug issues attempted to take a child. A tense and violent scene erupted, until Gardai arrived. Despite his violent behavior, the man was released the next day and was later seen roaming Grafton Street in a deranged fashion. These incidents highlight the urgent need for effective law enforcement and a judicial system that truly protects our citizens.
The government’s response to these events has been inadequate, raising questions about whether any lessons were learned from the chaos last November. The riots were terrifying, and it is crucial that we never allow our city to be overtaken like that again. It also exposed a critical shortage of Garda resources needed to maintain law and order. Fine Gael has long claimed to stand for stability, law, and order, but they have completely failed in these areas.
These experiences spurred me to get involved in politics because it is so important that we have strong, capable people in positions of leadership. We need individuals who can handle crises, make tough decisions, and implement effective solutions. Without good political leaders, we will be completely at sea, unable to navigate through the challenges we face.
My decision to run for the 2024 local election is driven by a commitment to restore safety and order in our community. I am getting involved and I encourage others to do so as well. It is only through collective action that we can address the issue. I just want Dublin to be enjoyable, friendly and safe.
MEON: Whilst still embryonic, there’s a budding rejection of, in lieu of a more apt term, the T.K Whitaker consensus: free trade and the cultivation of foreign direct investment via one of Europe’s most attractive corporation tax rates.
Concomitantly, said policies are buttressed by a prevailing narrative about the purported misery inflicted by protectionist policies pursued under De Valera’s regime. The Irish-American Economist Peter Ryan, among others, has recurringly criticized this narrative as simplistic.
The recent Irish Future conference which gathered a motley crew of academics and policy anoraks, and Will O’Brien’s promising, energetic Éire Accelerationism movement are both manifestations of this vacillation away from prevailing shibboleths in the Irish mind regarding the economy.
Do you consider yourself to be a fellow traveller of said movements and tendencies? If not, how do you differ from them, and what is your vision regarding the economy, infrastructure, development, and related matters?
Nick Delehanty: In recent history, Ireland has been at the forefront of economic progressiveness. From the pioneering Shannon Free Zone to our competitive 12.5% corporation tax rate, the establishment of the IFSC, and our early bet on tech firms, we've consistently led the way in innovative economic policies. However, over the last decade, we've shifted focus towards social progression, which has been essential and transformative—achieving milestones like marriage equality, abortion reform, and broader equality measures.
That said, the work in social progression is largely accomplished, and it’s time we turn our attention back to economic growth and sustainability. We need to acknowledge that the groups advocating for social change should not necessarily drive our economic policies.
Our survival and prosperity depend on FDI, and we need to identify and invest in the next wave of opportunities, which I believe is AI.
For Ireland to become a natural home for AI, we must recognize that AI requires significant energy resources. Therefore, we need to become an energy-progressive economy. This involves a substantial investment in solar, wind, battery storage, and, crucially, opening up to the idea nuclear energy. Whether its interconnectors to France or our own plant, we need to have this discussion. The green agenda, while important, must be balanced with practical considerations about our energy needs.
On a global scale, Ireland’s individual impact on climate change is minimal. The climate crisis will ultimately be addressed through innovation and significant contributions from major players like China, Russia, and the United States.
Our focus should be on fostering innovation rather than imposing stringent climate regulations that could stifle economic growth. Carbon capture technologies will continue to evolve and improve, offering more sustainable solutions in the future. We cannot afford to shut ourselves off and wait for an apocalypse; instead, we must drive forward with practical and progressive energy solutions.
Data centers are critical to the development and implementation of AI technologies. We should prioritize solving the issues that impede the construction and operation of data centers in Ireland. This includes ensuring a stable and ample energy supply, favorable regulatory conditions, and a welcoming business environment for tech companies.
MEON: You’ve identified the negligent attitude of the government vis-à-vis the immigration crisis as one of their key failings. Per your posters, it’s evident that migration is a core issue that you seek to tackle.
Can you outline your position regarding immigration, and the practical steps you, as a prospective councillor, would be able to take to assuage this issue?
Nick Delehanty: Immigration is indeed a significant issue that requires urgent and thoughtful attention. Ireland has a proud history of welcoming those who come here to work and contribute to our society. We have built strong relationships with various communities, such as those from Brazil, Poland, Ukraine, India, Latvia and beyond. However, our current challenge lies in the sheer number of people arriving at once, which is straining our resources and social infrastructure.
We are an island, off an island, off the edge of Europe. We have never faced immigration issues on this scale before. While we have done commendable work in supporting those fleeing war-torn countries like Ukraine, we are reaching a point where we must acknowledge our limits in terms of resources and capacity for integration.
Integration is the cornerstone of an effective immigration policy. Without proper integration, we risk creating ghettos and poverty, which can lead to increased crime and social unrest. Our senior politicians seem to overlook the critical importance of getting immigration policy right for the sake of social cohesion.
Given our geographical location, Ireland is experiencing the immigration issue later than countries like France, Germany, Sweden, Denmark, and the Netherlands. We have the opportunity to learn from their experiences and implement best practices before it’s too late. For instance, Denmark has successfully managed immigration while maintaining social harmony through a tough yet fair stance. Most people don’t realise that it is the Danish centre-left Social Democrat party that have taken the tough stance. They do it in order to protect their Scandinavian social system. I wish our plethora of left leaning parties would focus on this instead of issues in the middle east.
We can easily replicate the Danish model. Ireland has the same "Opt-Out" clause available from the EU migration pact as Denmark, thanks to our stubborn but sensible approach to the Lisbon Treaty.
Currently, a section of hardcore Fine Gael supporters have been profiting from housing asylum seekers through tax-efficient and opaque corporate structures. The same structures are often referred to by the media as "Cuckoo funds." It genuinely blows my mind that the State now pays a billion euros a year on asylum seekers and that a large percentage goes to these tax-efficient corporate landlords, who are backed by the largest fund managers in the world. When you boil it down, it’s tax-free legalised human trafficking. This industry contributes nothing back to society to help with integration; it is the ultimate leech. Anyone participating in these structures does not love Ireland.
The left, meanwhile, are often too focused on international issues in the middle east or virtue signalling to address the real, pressing issues at home. They completely fail to call out this exploitation.
MEON: You’ve been vocal in your criticism of the influence of school teachers turned TDs. How does a disproportionate representation of, by background, public sectors workers in the Dáil affect policy in a detrimental way?
Nick Delehanty: Firstly, I want to make it clear that I have nothing against school teachers. They play a vital role in our society, shaping the minds of future generations. However, my concern lies in the overrepresentation of former teachers in politics, which can lead to a certain groupthink and a lack of diverse perspectives in policy-making.
The question we need to ask is why this overrepresentation exists. School teachers, while not highly paid, often have more structured schedules and time on their hands compared to many other professions. This naturally allows them more opportunities to get involved in politics. In contrast, some of the smartest people I have ever met, including doctors, lawyers, entrepreneurs, or tech professionals, are often too focused on their careers to consider a political path. This lack of diversity in the political sphere is concerning.
Imagine if our political class included more people with technical backgrounds like programmers or developers. The fresh perspectives and innovative solutions they could bring to policy-making would be invaluable. Unfortunately, the incentives to enter politics are low. It’s not just about the salary; the abuse and scrutiny politicians often face can be a significant deterrent.
If we can encourage more people from varied backgrounds to step into political roles, we can ensure that our policies are more well-rounded and reflective of the needs of all sectors of society.
MEON: Do you have political ambitions beyond the station of councillor, or do you believe that you’ll be able to have a greater impact on a local level?
Nick Delehanty: Yes, I made a decision at the beginning of this year to run in both the local elections and the next general election. If I am unsuccessful in both, I will take the hint! However, my broader goal is to encourage a trend for others to consider politics and to serve for a finite period of time.
Career politicians often become focused on maintaining their positions rather than driving meaningful change. I believe that bringing people from diverse backgrounds, with practical experience, into politics for a period of five to ten years can bring fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to the table. This approach ensures that new ideas and energy continuously flow into our political system, preventing stagnation and fostering a more dynamic and effective government.
This concept might be seen as promoting a form of "civic rotation" or "citizen governance," where individuals from various walks of life step into political roles temporarily, contribute their expertise, and then pass the baton to the next person. This model can help break the cycle of careerism in politics and ensure that our leadership remains connected to the real-world experiences and challenges of the people they represent.
Ultimately, my ambition is to make a positive impact, whether at the local or national level, and to inspire others to step forward and serve their communities in a similar capacity. By doing so, we can create a more inclusive, responsive, and effective political system that truly reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of our society.
MEON: On a final note, if someone wishes to assist your campaign, what’s the best way to get involved?
Nick Delehanty: Please get in touch on X!
I am on the lookout for anyone who wants to get involved whether it's running themselves or helping with campaigns. Please don’t be shy!
MEON: Thanks, Nick, for taking the time to do this interview – any final words?
Nick Delehanty: Thank you very much for having me. I appreciate your effort. It’s very important that we encourage these conversations and debates!