Labour - is there life after Michael D?

Thu, Apr 15, 2010

The Labour Party holds its annual conference in Galway this weekend, so Insider thought it worthwhile to take a closer look at Galway’s political alternative.

Galway should honour its ‘native son’ Che Guevara

Thu, Apr 15, 2010

Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, the Argentine who was a key member of the Cuban revolution, and one of the most potent and romantic icons of change and courage, should be celebrated and formally acknowledged by the city of Galway.

This is the view of Labour councillor Billy Cameron who is calling for such a project to be explored in the week that the Cuban Ambassador to Ireland, her excellency Teresita Trujillo, visits Galway city.

Galway should honour its ‘native son’ Che Guevara

Thu, Apr 15, 2010

Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara, the Argentine who was a key member of the Cuban revolution, and one of the most potent and romantic icons of change and courage, should be celebrated and formally acknowledged by the city of Galway.

We need to change our mindset, not just the political system

Thu, Apr 08, 2010

“We cannot fix the economy without fixing the political system as well,” is a familiar refrain in Irish political discourse these days. The calamity of the economic collapse and the role of the political and associated systems in bringing it about, or at least in failing to act to prevent it, have focused minds on this matter.

Crowe replies to Insider’s ‘hard hitting’ criticism

Thu, Apr 01, 2010

Sitting down in Crowe’s Bar last Thursday morning having the tae when a voice over my shoulder said, “Lord MJ you must be a threat to someone when they’re writing that stuff about you!”

TDs pledge loyalty to Cowen - for now

Thu, Apr 01, 2010

Taoiseach Brian Cowen is a political dead man walking and while Galway’s four Fianna Fáil TDs have all pledged their support to him, it seems the Galway East TDs feel his leadership will only last until the end of the next General Election.

City council is more mature, less dysfunctional than before

Thu, Mar 18, 2010

Green Senator Niall Ó Brolcháin recently described the Galway City Council as being a dysfunctional institution and in the aftermath received a tongue lashing from certain councillors for what was seen as an unwarranted attack.

Labour young guns let down by mistakes of elder lemons

Thu, Mar 11, 2010

As we approach the first anniversary of this current council, Insider has been observing the workings of the largest party in City Hall, the Labour Party. Labour got a very strong endorsement from the people of Galway city in last year’s locals, returning with effectively six seats, if you include Independent Catherine Connolly.

A complete sham and a charade

Thu, Feb 18, 2010

Insider has to ask ‘Has Fine Gael councillor Hildegarde Naughton fallen for this charade?’ Maybe by this stage, she’s figured it out. If she hasn’t, somebody close to her, who has been around for a while will hopefully have pointed it out.

Should Galway arrest Bertie?

Thu, Feb 18, 2010

Bertie Ahern was the “Teflon Taoiseach” from 1997 to 2008. He was nearly impossible to dislike, the ordinary Joe you could enjoy a pint of Bass with in the local boozer, the right man to lead us through the good times.

To Hell or Commies — Hail the People’s Republic Of Connacht?

Thu, Feb 18, 2010

Communism as a major political force in Europe may have disappeared with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, but, as someone once said about another organisation, ‘They haven’t gone away you know’!

Between the Russian Revolution of 1917 and the end of the Cold War, there were always suspicions of “Reds under the bed!” and some people thought they could see them everywhere.

There’s something fishy going on

Thu, Jan 28, 2010

The dogs in the street know there is no love lost between Minister Éamon Ó Cuív and Dep Frank Fahey TD, but at a meeting last year in Ros a’Mhíl even the fish in the sea got wind of the animosity when local FFers feared blows might be exchanged between the two heavy hitters.

It’s Galway East you have to watch

Thu, Jan 21, 2010

In the aftermath of last year’s local elections much attention has focused on Galway West and in particular on Fine Gael’s chances of gaining a seat there, but Galway East has been the subject of comparatively little attention.

‘...the point is to change it...’

Thu, Nov 12, 2009

What Ireland needs is a revolution, a revolution to clear out the deadwood, rid ourselves of failed ideologies that no longer work, and institute a new kind of society that is better placed to deal with the problems of today.

Karl Marx said: “Philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways. The point, however, is to change it.” This is central to the point Insider wants to make this week. Talk to anyone on the streets of Galway and they will be able to tell you what is wrong with the country and what should be done - however those thoughts need to be translated into action, and this is what Marx meant.

Fahey to meet EU officials to find agreement on outer bypass

Thu, Nov 12, 2009

A meeting takes place in Brussels next week to find a way to avoid conflict between the EU Environment Commission, the Irish courts, and local and national Government over the future of the controversial Galway City Outer Bypass.

Could FG overtake FF in Galway West?

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

The thing about elections is that political anoraks can never get enough of them. The locals are just over and already speculation is going on about who might run for which party in the next General Election.

No more cheap Viagra or Nigerian slushfunds for county councillors

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

County councillors will no longer be bombarded with offers of cheap Viagra or to have their bank accounts used to hold funds for exiled African princes, following the unveiling of their new secure email system this week.

An Bord Snip call to merge city and county council is illogical, say councillors

Thu, Jul 23, 2009

On August 1 1485, Pyerse Lynch was elected the first mayor of Galway city and his election allowed for the foundation of the Galway Corporation, now the Galway City Council.

An inside look at local politics – from the pens of the politicians themselves

Thu, May 07, 2009

This week Insider proposes to reflect on the plethora of so-called Independents who are campaigning for your vote on June 5. Many of these ‘new Independents’ are former members of the Progressive Democrats whose two remaining TDs - Dep Noel Grealish and Health Minister Mary Harney - continue to support one of the most incompetent governments in the history of the State.

The battle lines are drawn for June 5

Thu, May 07, 2009

The Government decision to combine the bye-elections with the Euro and Local elections considerably raises the stakes for all political parties on June 5. Voters’ verdicts will determine the fate of all party leaders and the timing of the next General Election.

E-paper

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