Why Irish reunification is worth it

Thu, Sep 23, 2021

"The conversation around Irish Unity is well underway, it's time for the Government to start preparing and taking an active role in this conversation. Preparation for a Unity Referendum must begin now. The discussion on unity is to the forefront of political discourse. We are living in the most exciting decade of Irish political change. This generation has the chance to build an inclusive republic on our island. A new constitutional settlement with self determination at its core is both achievable and necessary” - Sinn Féin Galway West TD Mairéad Farrell

Ireland needs social housing, student housing, and fair rents

Thu, Sep 23, 2021

The housing crisis in Galway continues to intensify. In late July, there were 234 adults accessing emergency accommodation in Galway, with 66 families, including 165 child dependents, counted in the West region, compared to 225 adults and 154 dependents (including adult dependents) a month earlier.

‘We want to tell the Irish people, France is your closest neighbour’

Thu, Sep 16, 2021

Ireland may geographically be closer to Britain, but politically, with Brexit, and the UK becoming a ‘third country outside the EU, France is now the Republic’s closest neighbour - a relationship the French are keen to develop and deepen.

Any ‘return to normal’ is a return to major challenges for Ireland

Thu, Sep 09, 2021

As summer comes to an end, attention is turning to the new political season as the various party think-ins get underway with the return of the Dáil just around the corner.

The pandemic is not over, but housing is once again taking centre stage

Thu, Jul 01, 2021

As we approach the midpoint of 2021, and with the summer Dáil recess approaching, now is a good time to take stock of the political year to date.

Will the housing crisis prove the undoing of this Government?

Thu, Jun 17, 2021

As the smoke begins to clear from the havoc wreaked by the pandemic, the provision of housing will more and more take centre stage, with a huge mountain to climb before we get to a situation where supply comes even close to meeting demand.

Arts bureaucrats urging writers to put themselves up for sale?

Thu, Jun 03, 2021

In a book called Das Kapital, first published 154 years ago, Karl Marx predicted capitalism would, in time, transform everything into a saleable commodity.

O’Reilly invokes Elvis Presley during Seanad Housing debate

Thu, Jun 03, 2021

Elvis Presley was invoked by Green Party Galway senator Pauline O’Reilly in the Seanad, when she described the controversial Affordable Housing Bill 2021 as requiring “a little less conversation, a little more action please”.

Julian Assange and the criminalisation of journalism

Thu, May 20, 2021

“Journalism is a crime”. That thought came to mind as Insider watched the Israelis destroying the tower building in Gaza which housed the international news agencies.

Ireland needs to keep an eye on what is happening in Europe

Thu, May 13, 2021

While domestic issues are likely to continue to dominate the political agenda – this past week seeing the re-emergence with a vengeance of the housing crisis as some light begins to emerge at the end of the pandemic tunnel – the coming months will also feature some tumultuous developments in European politics that may have significant implications for Ireland.

16-year-olds should get the vote, says O'Reilly

Thu, May 13, 2021

The right to vote should be extended to 16-year-olds in the Republic of Ireland, according to Green Party senator, Pauline O’Reilly.

Social Democrats - no hope or a new hope?

Thu, May 06, 2021

Never before has there been such scrutiny on the social contract we as a society have with each other. The Government's handling of Covid-19 has highlighted many of the long term inefficiencies in the State’s two-tier healthcare system, its unaffordable housing, and the precarious economy.

Gurtymadden’s Shane Dolphin wins election as new Young Fine Gael VP

Thu, May 06, 2021

Shane Dolphin, a native of Gurtymadden, south Galway, has been elected the new vice president of Young Fine Gael, scooping a massive 73 per cent of first preference votes at the recent YFG national conference.

The future of work - changes are coming

Thu, Apr 29, 2021

Last Saturday, the Citizens' Assembly published its recommendations on gender equality, which are an impressive set of worthy proposals for constitutional and legislative changes.

If there is a United Ireland, we should leave the euro

Thu, Apr 22, 2021

The European Union, and its lynchpin project, the euro, had a charmed existence in publicity terms during the worst of the Brexit years from 2016 to 2019.

Young people in Galway set to ‘raise their voice’ at EYE on the Edge

Wed, Apr 21, 2021

Politics, arts, culture, climate change, and the future of the EU will fuse in a major online festival - EYE on the Edge - based in Galway, and taking place this weekend, which has been created by and for young people.

Why Galway needs a Very Light Rail system

Thu, Apr 15, 2021

In this time of confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many people used their time wisely by making observations to the Galway City Council ‘Our City Our Future’ consultation, which will go towards what will become the Galway City Development Plan 2023-2029.

Two years on, how are our city councillors performing?

Thu, Apr 01, 2021

The current membership of the Galway City Council started their term almost two years ago in a welter of controversy surrounding the forming of a political alliance to hold the balance of power (and positions) for the following five years.

Women city and county councillors form the Galway Women's Caucus

Thu, Apr 01, 2021

Women councillors on both the Galway city and county councils have joined forces to establish the Galway Women's Caucus - a cross-party and cross-council group.

O’Hara chosen to stand again for Sinn Féin in Galway East

Thu, Mar 25, 2021

Louis O’Hara, who performed impressively in the 2020 election, has again been chosen to stand for Sinn Féin in Galway East at the next General Election.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.