Independents to have their day on February 25?

Thu, Feb 10, 2011

County Galway is normally an unhappy hunting ground for Independents seeking election to Dáil Éireann, but that could all change on February 25?

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.

But of course what politicians say and what they really mean are different things altogether, so from now until February 25, if you hear candidates in Galway East and Galway West utter any or all of the following (printed in bold), you will know just what they are really mean (printed in italics).

It’s a two horse race

Thu, Jan 27, 2011

Pundits and the public alike are in agreement that the coming election will see a historic battle for supremacy between Fine Gael and Labour.

Galway West to still prove elusive to Sinn Féin

Thu, Jan 27, 2011

Sinn Féin looks certain to make gains in the next election, particularly in Donegal, and the polls show the party on level support with Fianna Fáil at 14 per cent.

Galway East - a change is gonna come?

Thu, Jan 20, 2011

If there was ever a constituency which defined the term ‘boringly predictable’ it was certainly Galway East, a place even more beholden to repeating patterns and traditions than its sister electoral area Galway West.

Why I will and won’t vote for each party

Thu, Jan 06, 2011

As a year of potentially enormous political significance begins, Insider has decided to look at the prospects for each party, both on a national and local level. Insider will look at Galway West today, and return to Galway East in the coming weeks. Insider cannot recall a time of more political uncertainty, and he firmly believes that the result of the election could also differ considerably depending on the date it is held. Is the 'Gilmore Gale' still blowing? Will Brian Cowen even lead FF into battle? Has Enda Kenny put the questions over his capacity for the job of Taoiseach to bed? Will the disaffected members of the public support SF in unprecedented numbers? How many more sitting TD's will opt out? Are the Greens already a spent force? So much uncertainty, and so much anger. So much to lose, and so much to win. Insider has decided to sum up the reasons he would vote 'for' or 'against' each party.

Could 2011 be Independents day?

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

While the flurry of autumn polls have been consistent in showing meltdown for Fianna Fáil and the election of a FG/Labour coalition, the most recent Red C poll in the Irish Sun showed a new dynamic entering the race.

Galway East battleground takes shape

Thu, Dec 16, 2010

Galway East used to be the most boring of all constituencies, returning two Fianna Fáil and two Fine Gael, without fail, at every election, but things look set to be very different in 2011.

Is there any decent election candidate out there?

Thu, Dec 02, 2010

The State’s finances are in a bad state and the incoming government after the 2011 General Election will have its work cut out trying to maintain even the most basic of public services like education, health care, and social housing.

This means that the type of candidates which were adequate during the Celtic Tiger era will no longer do. Political parties must put forward candidates who will put the needs of the people before the need to hold the seat. It is easy to be a good sailor when the weather is calm, and you are close to a safe harbour, but when you are out there on the ocean in gale force 10, expertise, courage, and skill is essential.

Will Fianna Fáil say sorry? Will it hell?

Thu, Dec 02, 2010

Our economy lies in ruins, our sovereignty is gone, the dead bank Anglo has sucked billions upon billions from our exchequer, unemployment is high, the EU/IMF have arrived, and ordinary people face years of punishing taxes to pay for the delinquency of Fianna Fáil and the banks.

The main culprit in all this is Fianna Fáil. It has been in power for the last 13 years and oversaw the inflation of the property bubble and delinquency of the banks. It chose to do nothing to correct this.

Derek Nolan - the successor to Michael D?

Thu, Nov 25, 2010

Galway West is normally the most predictable and uneventful constituency in the State. For the past 25 years it has returned two Fianna Fáil, one Fine Gael, one Labour, and one PD without fail, and indeed not many of the faces have even changed.

FG prepare for government with Galway West convention

Thu, Nov 25, 2010

At a time when there is hardly any certainly in our political system, we can bank on one near certainty. Enda Kenny will be the next Taoiseach.

Fianna Fáil has signed its death warrant

Thu, Nov 25, 2010

When Brian Cowen announced on Monday that he will seek to dissolve Dáil Éireann once the vote on the Budget is taken, he in effect signed Fianna Fáil’s death warrant.

Will Labour continue with socialism for the rich?

Thu, Nov 18, 2010

“What if the IMF comes in?” You’ll hear that spoken with trepidation everywhere you go. The fact is the IMF is in – with the EU – and is producing next month’s budget that will make you and me pay for the crisis.

And just to make sure, Ireland's new Lord Lieutenant, Olli Rehn, visited Dublin last week. If this was Greece or France the people would have taken to the barricades.

The General Election - Derek Nolan’s greatest challenge

Thu, Nov 18, 2010

Derek Nolan’s biggest challenge awaits him in the New Year - winning and retaining the party’s Galway West seat at the next General Election, which has been held by Michael D Higgins since 1987.

What are Fine Gael letting Galway West in for?

Thu, Nov 11, 2010

Fine Gael has been regularly referred to as the “Family at War”, and with the party’s election selection convention for candidates to contest the General Election in Galway West imminent, it has really pushed the boat out to live up to this billing.

Councillors in need of a peace treaty?

Thu, Nov 11, 2010

Before the next Galway City Council meeting, some kind of compromise or agreement will need to be worked out between Independent councillor Catherine Connolly and Mayor Michael J Crowe.

Healy Eames in pole position to join McCormack on Galway West ticket

Thu, Oct 21, 2010

With support for Fianna Fáil in freefall and the party desperately clinging to its two seats in Galway West, the time is right for Fine Gael to land the killer blow and become the biggest party in the constituency.

Cannon fires warning over ‘dying’ tourism industry

Thu, Oct 21, 2010

An east Galway senator has warned the tourism industry is “dying on its feet” and insists urgent action is necessary to breathe life back into it.

Fine Gael politician Senator Ciaran Cannon is advocating that €10 million of the €155 million tourism budget should be set aside to buy 100,000 “free” airline seats into Ireland. This would “kick-start” the sector.

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