The EU demands 'more Europe' as continent drifts more to the right

Thu, Jun 28, 2018

It is two years almost to the day since the people of the UK dramatically voted to leave the EU. Since then Brexit has been a constant backdrop to political discourse in these islands, and a dominant one when it comes to the discussion of international affairs.

Why Wolfe Tone and the 1798 Rebellion still matter

Thu, Jun 21, 2018

If you happen to cross Galway’s Wolfe Tone Bridge, spare a thought for the man whose name it carries, especially as this month - yesterday, June 20, to be precise - marks the 255th anniversary of Tone’s birth.

Keane v Ó Tuathail - there can only be one winner

Thu, Jun 14, 2018

If Micheál Martin wants to avoid becoming the first leader of Fianna Fáil not to become Taoiseach, then a second seat for his party in Galway West is key to avoiding this.

'Ulysses is a big, democratic book...and Joyce has a tonic sense of humour'

Thu, Jun 14, 2018

This Saturday, June 16, is Bloomsday and the Town Hall Theatre marks the occasion with a superb exhibition, Nighttown, featuring Joyce-inspired prints and drawings by Charles Cullen, which runs until the end of July.

James Connolly and why he still matters in 2018

Thu, May 31, 2018

“Socialism will confiscate the property of the capitalist and in return will secure the individual against poverty and oppression; it, in return for so confiscating, will assure to all men and women a free, happy, and unanxious human life. And that is more than capitalism can assure anyone today.”

Ireland's role in America's middle-east military adventures

Thu, May 24, 2018

Irish Special Forces (the Army Ranger Wing) operated in Western-occupied Afghanistan under NATO command, it was revealed last month, thanks to TD Clare Daly’s parliamentary question. The story received no media coverage. The operational purpose of these troops was not revealed. However, like Special Forces the world over, it was not pencils they were sharpening.

Anyone who thinks the Tories are mindful of Irish interests is guilty of grand delusion

Thu, May 10, 2018

The abortion referendum at the end of the month may be dominating political discourse at the moment, but behind the scenes the issue really vexing, and increasingly troubling, the Government is the ongoing saga of Brexit.

Don’t copy the British – vote no to abortion on demand

Tue, May 08, 2018

At the heart of the current debate about removing the right to life of the unborn child from the Constitution is a question about what kind of society we want to be. We do not have to look far in order to see the country where they have long ago removed the right to life for the unborn child. Our nearest neighbours in Britain have made that mistake, and we are being asked to copy them.

Disability should not become a death sentence in Ireland

Tue, May 08, 2018

I am the parent of a child with a disability. Persons with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else, regardless of their age. Yet in England and Wales, 90 per cent of pregnancies where the unborn baby has Down syndrome are aborted. This is a tragic reality in our nearest neighbouring country.

Every human life is valuable, and our Constitution currently protects all members of the human family regardless of their age or abilities. The Government and Minister Simon Harris plan to change the law to allow implicit discrimination against people with disabilities by allowing medical professionals to end the life of a child for no reason up to three months or when that child may die “shortly” after birth.

Should the Labour Party be disbanded?

Thu, May 03, 2018

In recent polls, the Labour Party has been bumping along at five or six per cent, slightly down from its catastrophic performance in the 2016 General Election, when the party achieved just 6.6 per cent, and held only seven of the 37 seats it had won in 2011.

Keane has the hunger, but does Fianna Fáil have the appetite?

Thu, Apr 26, 2018

When was the last time Fianna Fáil won two seats in Galway West? The 2007 General Election - now more than a decade ago. Older party activists will sigh with nostalgia for the days when FF could take three out of five. The last time that happened was in November 1982 - 36 years ago.

Frank Kearney honoured by NUIG Young Fine Gael

Thu, Apr 26, 2018

Galway county councillor, Frank Kearney, has been awarded honorary life membership of NUIG Young Fine Gael "for his continued support over the years".

Galway's new secondary school should be an Educate Together school

Thu, Apr 19, 2018

At long last, the Minister for Education and Skills, Richard Bruton, has finally recognised what has long been a glaring and obvious reality - that Galway city and its hinterland is in need of a new secondary school.

Is State funding ruining the arts?

Thu, Apr 12, 2018

“There is a certain element that one is a philistine if one questions it,” so said a Galway TD, and former member of the Galway City Council, at a recent meeting of the Dáil’s Public Accounts Committee.

Council members pass vote of no confidence in An Taoiseach

Thu, Apr 12, 2018

A motion of no confidence in An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar was passed by the elected members of the Athenry-Oranmore Municipal Council, the first time a local authority has passed such a motion on the head of Government.

Ireland falling behind on environmental Sustainable Development Goals

Thu, Apr 05, 2018

Ireland is falling behind on its environmental commitments under the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals a newly published report has found. Social Justice Ireland in its Sustainable Progress Index for 2018 warns the State risks huge European fines if we continue to ignore our commitments.

Project Galway 2027 - it is worth fighting for

Thu, Mar 29, 2018

The Government has been getting some criticism recently for its rollout of Project Ireland 2040. In large part this is due to the use of 'advertorials' to shape coverage of the plan in local and national media, in a way that was seen to go beyond acceptable public information campaigns.

National polls - local conclusions

Thu, Mar 22, 2018

There have been a large number of national polls conducted since the February 2016 General Election, and some clear patterns have emerged, which Insider believes will carry through to the next General Election, expected some time in 2019.

Housing crisis is not an accident - it was designed that way

Thu, Mar 08, 2018

Travel around the 26 counties and in the cities, towns, and even villages, and you will come across mature, pristine, housing estates which resemble Shantalla and Old Mervue. These houses were built back in the days when our Republic was poor.

Is Noel Grealish in danger of losing his seat?

Thu, Mar 01, 2018

Come the next General Election, could Noel Grealish be in danger of losing his seat? The answer is yes, but ONLY if Fianna Fáil gets its act together and learns a valuable lesson from the 'auld enemy' - Fine Gael.

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