Trade union president co-opted to Galway City Council

Thu, Sep 08, 2016

Mark Lohan, the president of the Galway Council of Trade Unions, and chair of the Galway People's Resource Centre, has been co-opted for Sinn Féin on to Galway City Council, replacing Cllr Anna Marley, who recently announced she was standing down.

Does the Government really have what it takes to handle the Brexit fallout?

Thu, Aug 04, 2016

As the Dáil rose for the summer recess last week, there was an almost audible sigh of relief in Leinster House - and not only on the Government side.

Big demands, wasteful spending, and what about Salthill?

Thu, Jul 21, 2016

AS WE move into Galway's version of the ‘Silly Season’, where the commentariat find it difficult to talk about anything other than the Races or the arts festival, it was an opportunity that simply could not be missed for a couple of our more industrious city councillors.

Public meeting on impact of Brexit this evening

Thu, Jul 07, 2016

One of Ireland's leading left-wing economists, Brian O'Boyle, will address a public meeting in Galway this evening, on the new situation facing Ireland in the aftermath of Brexit.

Social Democrats to hold Connacht Regional Conference in Galway

Thu, Jul 07, 2016

The Social Democrats will host the party's Connacht Regional Conference in The Galway Bay Hotel, Salthill, tomorrrow evening from 6.30pm.

Brexit - How? Why? and what happens next?

Thu, Jun 30, 2016

Even the most sceptical observer cannot accuse those who describe last week’s Brexit referendum result as 'seismic' or 'a political earthquake' of engaging in hyperbole. From an Irish perspective, it is potentially the most significant thing to happen in peace-time British politics since the abdication of King Edward VIII in 1936.

Galway has Hildegarde to thank for putting a new hospital on the agenda

Thu, Jun 23, 2016

The extent to which we are resigned to politicians making promises they do not intend to keep was laid bare during the last Dáil term when Pat Rabbitte famously asked: “Isn’t that what you tend to during an election?”

Ireland has nothing to fear from a Brexit

Thu, Jun 16, 2016

"We must sow terror in the hearts of the Irish people," a senior Irish politician told Irish Independent journalist James Downey in 2001, explaining how the Republic's Government would reverse the people's No vote to the EU's Nice Treaty that year, and turn it into a Yes vote for the same treaty the year after.

Brexit - be afraid, be VERY afraid

Thu, Jun 09, 2016

It has been a busy 12 months at the ballot boxes – General Elections in Ireland and Britain, a landmark vote to introduce same-sex marriage in the Republic. Each has been noteworthy, historic, and in some cases seismic but, as Insider has noted for some time, the biggest electoral event facing Ireland in 2016 is Britain's upcoming EU membership referendum on June 23.

Standards of political commentary in freefall

Thu, Jun 02, 2016

Insider has been a keen observer and participant in political affairs for close on 40 years, and one of the biggest changes he has seen in that time is the decline in the standard of political reporting and analysis, seemingly deteriorating at a quickening pace with the passing years.

Politics - falling standards all around

Thu, May 26, 2016

Insider has had it with the vocal minority who continue to dominate our airwaves in a totally disproportionate way to their actual support among the population.

What is the future for Labour, ahead of #GE16.2?

Thu, May 19, 2016

So there we have it. A government. And even a programme to go with it. As with any document of this nature (and length) there is much that nobody will oppose - and much couched in anodyne language that will resist analysis, much less critique. There are however, some poison pills unearthed, such as the potential privatisation of healthcare facilities.

Won't somebody please think of those who lost their seats?

Thu, May 12, 2016

Healy Eames and O’Mahony,
And Keaveney and Walsh,

Are Independents a handicap to Government formation?

Thu, May 05, 2016

Insider noted the recent political musings of Ryanair Supremo, Michael O’Leary with interest, and how he laid the blame for the delay in the formation of a government with the result the electorate delivered, and not the politicians.

New government or none, the EU still calls the shots

Thu, Apr 28, 2016

The most amusing observation concerning February's General Election results came from a satirical website. It ran a shock headline claiming health officials were deeply worried about a sharp rise in Alzheimer’s among the Irish population, as indicated by the doubling of support for Fianna Fáil.

Galway secures three Seanad seats, but could win more

Thu, Apr 28, 2016

Three Galwegians have secured seats in the Seanad Éireann, with victories for Alice Mary Higgins, Sinn Féin's Trevor Ó Clochartaigh and Independent Ronán Mullen. However, with the count ongoing, more could join them.

Keaveney's political career not over despite Seanad loss

Thu, Apr 28, 2016

Despite his failure to win a seat in both the Dáil and Seanad Éireann elections, the failure of Fine Gael and Fianna Fáil to form a government means the controversial Colm Keaveney's political career is by no means over.

1916 - don’t believe everything they tell you

Thu, Mar 24, 2016

The 1916 Rising did not end on April 29 when Pádraig Pearse issued the order to surrender. Many are still fighting it, or, to be more accurate, fighting against it, and, as with any war, the first and most prolonged casualty is the truth.

Keep the election posters close at hand

Wed, Mar 16, 2016

As the dust settles on Election 2016, we have a political landscape unlike any seen since the 1950s. The days of the two and a half party system ended in 2011, but further fragmentation of the political landscape sees seven parties and a large number of Independents occupy the 32nd Dáil.

Next time, Trevor, next time

Thu, Mar 10, 2016

He lives in an area regarded as having too small a population to elect him to the Dáil. Personally popular, there are people who will never vote for him because of the party to which he belongs. He has a name monoglot English speakers struggle to spell. There are whispers that there might be better or more deserving candidates within the party.

E-paper

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