The Seanad - reform or remove, nothing else will do

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

Seanad Éireann - a retirement home for politicians on the way out, a nursery for aspiring TDs, a powerless talking shop with an inbuilt Government majority, an undemocratically elected chamber, and the most pointless entity in Irish politics - the Upper House of the Oireachtas is all of these.

Kitt demands commitments to protect small rural schools

Thu, Mar 31, 2011

The long term implications of the Small Primary Schools Value for Money Review has caused concern that many rural schools in places like County Galway face being shut down in the coming years.

This is the view of Fianna Fáil Galway East TD Michael Kitt who is calling on the Minister for Education Ruairí Quinn to make a firm commitment to protect small rural schools into the future.

Does Fianna Fáil have a future in Galway?

Thu, Mar 24, 2011

Many doubted it would come to pass. Many foes were convinced there was a significant hardcore element out there who would find it too difficult to wield the dagger no matter how much they complained about Fianna Fáil. Many party loyalists were deluded into believing that ‘In our final hour of need they will not desert us’.

The future of Galway’s Left

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

The big story of the election was the collapse of the Fianna Fáil vote nationally but it is evident from the statistics in Galway East that Labour gained substantially from this implosion, increasing its vote by 10.1 per cent, and leading to the surprise election of Colm Keaveney.

It is not immediately discernible if Labour’s other major success story, Derek Nolan, reaped major gains from FF’s demise. However, many believe Michael D’s support remained loyal to Labour. Nevertheless, Nolan increased Labour’s first preference vote both in the city and Connemara - no mean feat.

NUIG lecturer Donncha O’Connell to seek Seanad seat

Wed, Mar 16, 2011

NUI, Galway lecturer and former dean of the faculty of law, Donncha O’Connell has become the latest person from Galway to stand for election to Seanad Éireann.

Get set for the local elections - they are only three years away

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

The election is over! Bring on the next one! After the marathon counts in Galway East and Galway West, there cannot be many people who want another election too soon.

Éamon Ó Cuív - last of the Mohicans

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

It came at around lunchtime on Sunday, four hours into the count that day, and after a marathon 13 hour count the day before - the first Galway West TD of the 31st Dáil was finally declared elected.

Derek Nolan - one challenge met, new challenges to face

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

On Saturday morning in Leisureland, one of the first trends to emerge from the tallies was that Labour candidate Derek Nolan was polling strongly and would take a seat on this, his first time running for the Dáil.

Frank Fahey - he has not quite gone away you know

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

One was a phonecall, the other a text. Both messages came early on Saturday morning, they were from two close friends, and both were enquiring about Fianna Fáil’s Frank Fahey. In their own way they exemplified the way Mr Fahey divides opinion.

The ‘Paschal factor’ got me the seat

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

He was Fine Gael’s ‘Chosen One’, the heir apparent to Pádraic McCormack’s seat and party HQ were expecting him to retain it and deliver a running mate. He did, but it took a long time and it was nail-biting stuff to the very end.

The highs, the lows, of a weekend in New Inn

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

Just when we thought it was going to be all plain sailing once again in Galway East the tides turned, a recount was ordered, votes vanished and disprepancies were found, but we got there in the end filling all four seats and closing the doors of the community centre in New Inn before midnight on Sunday.

All the figures from Galway West

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

Number of seats: 5
Electorate: 88,840

Electorate: 88,840

All the figures from Galway East

Thu, Mar 03, 2011

Number of seats: 4
Electorate: 83,651

So which candidates are stalking the web?

Thu, Feb 24, 2011

Fianna Fáil’s Éamon Ó Cuív is the most active Galway politician on the internet according to a new website created by an NUI, Galway student.

Use your vote - you can make a difference

Thu, Feb 24, 2011

There is a story about The Duke of Wellington and the Connaught Rangers. It may be apocryphal, but the point behind tells us a truth about ourselves - or something that was once true.

The story goes that Wellington, himself from Co Meath, was reviewing the Connaught Rangers before engaging in battle with the French. He took one look at these soldiers - mostly Catholic Irish and often from the rural areas of the province - and declared: “I don’t know what effect these men will have upon the enemy, but, by God, they frighten me.”

Questions Galway’s Labour candidates must answer

Thu, Feb 10, 2011

This election marks the end of an era for Galway Labour. Michael D Higgins is hopefully heading for the greener pastures of the Phoenix Park. What may prove to be a gain for Ireland is certainly a loss for the Labour Party. For many on the Left Michael D represented the party’s “conscience”.

What they say and what they mean

Thu, Feb 10, 2011

Political jargon, soundbites, double-talk, whatever you call it, politicians have bucketloads of it and over the next two weeks they will bombard us with all the stock clichés and responses they possess.

Certificate in horticulture

Thu, Feb 10, 2011

National Learning Network, Galway, in conjunction with FÁS is now recruiting for a new two year FETAC Level four certificate in horticulture.

International interior designer to teach at Connacht College of Design

Thu, Feb 10, 2011

The Connacht College of Design is offering an Associate Diploma Course in Interior Design in Galway (Oranmore). It begins next week and is taught by well-known interior designer Amanda Stuart.

Creative writing workshops @ GTI

Thu, Feb 10, 2011

THE GALWAY Technical Institute will hold creative writing workshops for beginners and experienced and bookings are now being taken.

E-paper

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