Brexiteers discover the grim reality of their dreams coming true

Thu, Nov 22, 2018

For Insider, like many people, November 22 will always be associated with events at Dealey Plaza, Dallas, in 1963 on America’s day of infamy. Insider could not help but note that anniversary when considering the latest Brexit drama of the past week which, like the Kennedy assassination, is transfixing people here and has the potential to leave an indelible mark on our country.

Sinn Féin and Social Democrats announce local election candidates for Galway city

Thu, Nov 22, 2018

Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats have announced their Galway City Council candidates for the Local Elections in May 2019, while Independent councillor Mike Cubbard has also announced he is seeking re-election.

Poppies, PESCO, and the increasing militarisation of the EU

Thu, Nov 15, 2018

In political terms, these last few weeks have been depressing. First, we were subjected to the electoral version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? (aka the Irish presidency), while thousands of Irish families remain homeless, with no sign of a publicly financed house building programme.

Mike Cubbard to seek re-election in 2019 Locals

Thu, Nov 15, 2018

Independent city councillor Mike Cubbard has formally announced he will be seeking re-election at the next Local Elections in May 2019, with the housing crisis being a key focus of his upcoming campaign.

Sinn Féin to choose candidates for 2019 local elections this weekend

Thu, Nov 15, 2018

Galway West Sinn Féin will hold a number of candidate selection conventions in Peacocke's Hotel, Maam Cross, Connemara, this weekend as the party steps up its preparations for the 2019 Local Election which take place in May.

Why you should vote Yes in tomorrow's Blasphemy referendum

Thu, Oct 25, 2018

In the great scheme of things, the increasing crisis of housing and accommodation in the State is a matter of far greater urgency and social consequence than the Blasphemy referendum.

Seán Kyne - the most powerful TD in Galway West?

Thu, Oct 18, 2018

Galway is back at the Cabinet table for the first time since the early noughties, following the weekend's appointment of Galway West TD Seán Kyne as Minister for the Gaeltacht and Government Chief Whip.

'Young people’s choice of participation, rather than cynicism, is a powerful way of looking at the future'

Thu, Oct 11, 2018

Climate change is a reality, a crisis facing us all, yet in this period of turmoil - geo-politically via Trump, Brexit, and the rise of the far right, and environmentally with rising temperatures and extreme weather - there remains cause for hope.

Why Michael D deserves another term as Uachtarán na hÉireann

Thu, Oct 11, 2018

Insider believes you should vote for Michael D Higgins on October 26 for a second term as president. Chances are you think that too: the polls have been nothing but encouraging; the President is regarded with affection by most; and his empathetic and ethical style lends itself to the challenges of the role.

Can Sharon Nolan become the Soc Dem's first Galway councillor?

Thu, Oct 04, 2018

“I'm not from a political family of candidates of yesteryear. I'm not what people expect a politician to look like - but the personal is political. Politics affects all of us and I believe we should have candidates that look like what modern Ireland looks like.”

Higgins campaign gathers pace as Mayor urges Galway to support president

Thu, Oct 04, 2018

Ahead of a public meeting on the campaign to re-elect Michael D Higgins as Uachtarán na hÉireann, the Mayor of Galway, Labour city councillor Niall McNelis, is urging Galwegians to support the campaign and to vote for Uachtarán Higgins on October 26.

Time the so called Republican Movement apologised and compensated

Thu, Sep 27, 2018

Insider has been a keen observer of the political scene for well over 40 years, and, up until recently, thought he had seen and heard it all. There were many contenders for the ‘Brass Neck’ award over the years - from Charlie Haughey’s ‘doing the State some service’ to Ray Burke’s ‘line in the sand’ to Bertie Aherne's ‘won it on the horses’.

Soc Dems pick their candidates for local elections

Thu, Sep 27, 2018

Sharon Nolan, one of Galway's leading campaigners on LGBTQ+ rights, gender recognition, and better trans healthcare, will be running for the Social Democrats in the 2019 Local Elections on a platform of "engaging younger and underrepresented voices in Galway".

Scrap the presidency or sell it to the highest bidder

Thu, Sep 20, 2018

On August 28, the St Vincent de Paul reported a 20 per cent increase in calls for “back to school help”. The same day, the man presiding over the housing crisis, Minister Eoghan Murphy, announced the election date for the most lucrative Irish political post - the presidency - with a salary of €325,507 plus untold expenses.

'I am determined, as Taoiseach, to break this country out of this boom and bust cycle'

Thu, Sep 13, 2018

Last week Fine Gael held its annual party think-in at the Galway Bay Hotel and, on Thursday morning, I had a sit-down with An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to hear his thoughts on a range of local and national issues.

The housing crisis is also a crisis of student accommodation

Thu, Sep 13, 2018

Galway mayor, Labour city councillor, and the party's Galway West General Election candidate, Níall McNelis, grabbed national headlines early this week, intervening to prevent an assault in the city centre. Yet Galwegians will not have been surprised by his instinct to 'step up' when witnessing someone in need.

An autumn of political challenges and discontent awaits

Thu, Sep 06, 2018

The sight of the politicians gathering for their annual ‘think-ins’ is one of the signs the summer is over. As with the country as a whole, the Government has had a generally good summer with a post-referendum boost and generally strong economic performance to buoy it. However, the autumn will bring its challenges and it may not all be plain sailing.

Presidential candidates to address City Hall today

Thu, Sep 06, 2018

Ten of the 11 candidates seeking a nomination to stand for the presidential election, will be in Galway tomorrow to address a special meeting of the Galway City Council, which takes place in City Hall at 2pm.

Islanders could vote on same day as rest of the State in 2019

Thu, Jul 19, 2018

Voters on Galway's inhabited islands could vote on the same day as voters on the mainland during the various elections in 2019, instead of a day ahead, as has been the traditional practice.

2018 - an action packed year...with more still to come

Thu, Jul 12, 2018

As the Dáil heads off on its summer holidays there is much to contemplate after a busy and interesting first half to 2018, with the promise of more tumult to come in the autumn.

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