‘Be nice to canvassers’ appeals Independent candidate

Thu, May 07, 2009

Given the deservedly low opinion in which the public currently holds the incompetent trio of Cowen, Lenihan, and Coughlan, it’s no surprise canvassers are having doors slammed in their faces - even if they have nothing to do with Fianna Fáil!

While out canvassing last week, Galway City Central Independent candidate Mike Geraghty was pleased to be receiving a courteous reception on the doorsteps. However there was one exception.

Don’t mix up the two Frank Fahys say Galway Fine Gael

Thu, May 07, 2009

There is Frank Fahey the Fianna Fáil TD, but there is also Frank Fahy the Fine Gael candidate standing in Galway City East in the June Local Elections.

Is the tide turning towards John Connolly in Galway City Central?

Thu, May 07, 2009

Galway City Central is not called ‘the Group of Death’ for nothing and in recent times there have been predictions that Fianna Fáil councillor John Connolly could lose his seat. However is that view starting to change?

Fianna Fáil and the art of shafting your own

Thu, Apr 23, 2009

For these local elections Fianna Fáil launched a new system of selection designed to ensure transparency, fairness, and an end to sitting councillors selecting below par running mates.

The new system consisted of a nomination process, followed by an interview carried out by three independent members all answering to a non partisan committee chaired by Tánaiste Mary Coughlan but strictly monitored by general secretary Sean Dorgan on behalf of the National Executive.

No room for Government error in banking policy

Thu, Apr 23, 2009

When historians in 2020 analyse our current politics, the most profound Government decisions will be those relating to our banks.

Fianna Fáil will not be enjoying St George’s Day

Thu, Apr 23, 2009

Today is St George’s Day, when the Anglican, Eastern and Oriental Orthodox, and the Eastern Catholic churches commemorate the Syrian saint who famously killed a hideous, fire breathing, dragon.

Cracks emerge in FG strategy to win two City East seats

Thu, Apr 23, 2009

Fine Gael’s bold attempt to win an additional seat in Galway City East appears to be falling apart at the seams as one of the three candidates in the ward is being accused is failing to fall into line regarding the constituency divide.

Mayor describes school warden appointment as ‘bureaucracy gone mad’

Thu, Apr 23, 2009

City Hall having to write to the Minister for Finance for permission to appoint a school warden is “bureaucracy gone mad” according to the Mayor of Galway Pádraig Conneely.

Connemara set for a FF/FG showdown

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

With just over seven weeks to go until polling day the line-ups for the Local Elections in Connemara have begun to take their final shape.

The politics of pain

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Some political commentators have adjudged last week’s budget was a success because it avoided on-street protests. The October budget got pensioners and students out with placards. The February public sector income levy resulted in a large Dublin march. Politicians say the public response to the latest budget has been silence. This should be even more scary to Government backbenchers.

Good news - we are spared politicians’ faces until May

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Back in the 1980s I was a huge fan and avid reader of Oink! comic. It was like a children’s version of Viz, but where Viz is vulgar and boorish, Oink! was anarchic, witty, and had clever satire of society and politics in a way adults could also appreciate.

What are the odds on Joe Reilly in the Euros?

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

With Declan Ganley, fairly well known MEPS like Sean Ó Neachtain, Jim Higgins, and Marian Harkin, and journalist Susan O’Keeffe all competing for EU seats in the North West, it’s little wonder this constituency is shaping up to be the most watched of the European contests.

Connolly defends her attendance record in face of column allegations

Thu, Apr 16, 2009

Labour councillor Colette Connolly has refuted allegations regarding her attendance at meetings as “appalling and totally untrue..”

Speaking about statements made in last week’s Grassroots column, the Shantalla councillor said that the continued pronouncements and judgements of whether she will be elected or not are just risible and can be dismissed as evidence of the obvious desperation on the part of the author.

New faces to hold on in June?

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

The 2004 Local Elections heralded sweeping changes on the Galway City Council - eight new faces, two new parties in Sinn Fein and the Greens, and a new alliance to control the election of Mayor.

Enda Kenny - Taoiseach apparent?

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

Is Enda Kenny Taoiseach material? His critics, especially those in Fianna Fáil, want to make his leadership the central issue in the next election. They perceive he is the Achilles’ heel of FG and believe voters will baulk at a change of government with him as leader.

Hi Noone — Fianna Fáil chooses popular Claregalway man to contest locals

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

When Cllr Mary Hoade chose to run in the Tuam ward, the race was on to find her replacement in Oranmore, a race made all the more urgent by a confident Fine Gael and resurgent Labour.

Galway politicians will have to spend less on their election campaign this time around

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

Galway politicians will have to run their campaigns on a tighter budget than before as this year’s Local Elections will see spending limits applied to candidates and parties for the first time.

Galwegian becomes youngest ever chair of a political party

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

Salthill man Andrew Murphy has become the chair of the Green Party National Executive Committee, the youngest person ever to hold such a position in Ireland.

Val Hanley finally gets on FF ticket

Thu, Apr 09, 2009

First he was, then he was not, then he was again - Val Hanley’s Lanigan’s Ball style efforts to get on the Fianna Fáil ticket for Galway City West, finally paid off this week.

Galway City Central is not a foregone conclusion

Thu, Apr 02, 2009

This week, Insider is going to take a look at the number of first preference votes received in 2004 by candidates in the old West Ward and potentially what the outcome may be in the new Galway City Central ward in June for the sitting councillors, repeat candidates, and new candidates.

Firstly, from an electorate of 11,500, Insider believes that 55 per cent will turn out to vote. If this is the case, 6,325 people will be deciding who will represent them in City Hall.

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