John O'Mahony - does he have a chance?

Thu, Jan 07, 2016

By the beginning of February, the 2016 General Election will have more then likely been declared, and by the end of that month it will more than likely have been held and, 'bar the shouting', be completed across the State, except in Galway West, which will, as usual, drag on much longer than anywhere else.

After 2015, an uncertain future awaits the political parties

Thu, Dec 10, 2015

As the festive season approaches it is not only turkeys which are facing an uncertain future; politicians are also of a nervous disposition as they face the verdict of the electorate in the early weeks of the New Year.

A vote for an Independent is a wasted vote

Thu, Dec 03, 2015

It is fashionable to be Independent at the moment, but given the record of Independents nationally and locally, Insider is not exactly sure why. True, political parties are not that popular right now, and Independents do not have to carry that baggage, but what have they ever actually done? What is their purpose?

Is Brian's departure Derek's opportunity?

Thu, Nov 26, 2015

For the last 12 to 18 months, Labour Galway West TD Derek Nolan has been regarded by pundits and political anoraks as the constituency's 'dead man walking', not so much 'the lad most likely to...' but rather the 'absolute certainty' to lose his seat.

Mike Cubbard to contest Election 2016

Thu, Nov 26, 2015

Mike Cubbard, the Independent city councillor has formally declared he will be running for Dáil Éireann in the Galway West constituency at next year's General Election.

In the wake of Paris, all human lives matter

Thu, Nov 19, 2015

Insider was going to write an article examining the electoral prospects of some of the politicians in Galway West who will be fighting for the constituency's last two seats, but in the wake of the Paris massacre, writing about an election that is still months away, seems, just now, a little frivolous.

The impact of Yes on Galway’s political landscape

Thu, Nov 12, 2015

From Monday November 16, same-sex marriage will be legal and Insider is looking forward to attending the weddings of her friends in the LGBT community. This follows on from May's referendum, where Insider voted a wholehearted Yes.

How will Brian Walsh’s departure affect Galway West?

Thu, Nov 12, 2015

Dep Brian Walsh’s departure from politics this week, and consequent withdrawal from Election 2016 is both a curse and a blessing for Galway West Fine Gael, and will be seen as an opportunity, perhaps even a salvation, by Labour and Fianna Fáil.

Making use of the generosity of Galwegians

Thu, Nov 05, 2015

If the Nobel Academy awarded an annual prize for generosity then the Irish people would surely have won it many times over. This thought came to mind as Insider perused the secluded Tara China site, with the historic Mervue House, standing on three acres of gated grounds, surrounded to the front by trees.

A bigger city council is not a more effective one

Thu, Oct 29, 2015

Some years back, when the review of local government was carried out, it resulted in the Galway City Council seeing an increase from 15 to 18 councillors. All three wards in the city would have six representatives each was the conclusion. That is reform for you!

How Budget 2016 will affect the election in Galway and the State

Thu, Oct 22, 2015

If there was one thing Insider, and everyone else inside the political bubble, was agreed on, it was that the Government would fight tooth and nail to ensure nothing overshadowed the Budget that was to form the cornerstone of its re-election bid.

Fine print reveals the flaws in Government messages

Thu, Oct 15, 2015

Before the 'Send' icon was clicked, someone should have asked Labour Galway West TD Derek Nolan if he wanted one final look over his press release welcoming Budget 2016, because concluding this happy statement, entitled Family-Friendly Budget Ensures Right People Benefit From Recovery, is one hell of a howler.

Galway East - who will emerge victorious from the internal dogfights?

Thu, Oct 08, 2015

For many years Galway East was known as the dullest and most predicable of constituencies, reliably returning the same three TDs. Population growth and boundary changes saw the constituency gain a fourth seat in 1997, however, and this has given rise to some heated battles between the big two parties as well as seeing the emergence of Independent and Labour challenges.

Tommy Roddy to run as Independent in Galway West

Mon, Oct 05, 2015

Tommy Roddy, who ran in last year's local elections, will stand as an Independent candidate in Galway West at the General Election, campaigning on water charges, better supports for the unemployed, and issues relating to mental health and suicide prevention.

Why Trevor Ó Clochartaigh can win a Dáil seat

Thu, Oct 01, 2015

Whether the date of the next General Election is November 20, as has been mooted recently, or comes during spring 2016, two predictions are already confidently being made - indeed they have become an article of faith for some, an incontrovertible truth for others - regarding the fate of two high profile candidates in Galway West.

Galway West - three sub-constituencies in one

Thu, Sep 24, 2015

With the scent of an election in the air, political anoraks in this column and elsewhere have been busy trying to foreshadow the outcome of the electoral contest taking place in Galway West at some stage over the next six months.

Right2Water can win in Ireland, but will the EU let it?

Thu, Sep 17, 2015

For the first time in seven bitter years, we are witnessing serious opposition to Government policies that have made ordinary folk pay for an economic crisis they did not create. This resistance did not come from within the Dáil. It emerged through actions taken completely outside of the parliamentary process arising from the formation of the Right2Water campaign in opposition to water charges.

A political autumn of dread and excitement

Thu, Sep 10, 2015

If it is early September it must be political 'think-in' season, when each of the parties, in turn, descend son hotels in various parts of the country to discuss strategy ahead of the commencement of the new Dáil term.

Niall Ó Tuathail to run for Social Democrats in Galway-West

Thu, Sep 10, 2015

Niall Ó Tuathail's declaration to run as the Social Democrat candidate for Galway-West in Election 2016 comes as little surprise, despite the fact that he originally announced his candidacy, earlier this year, as an Independent.

Niall Ó Tuathail to run as centre-left Independent in Galway West

Thu, Jun 25, 2015

Niall Ó Tuathail, who this week declared that he will stand as an Independent in Galway West for Election 2016, will host a series of 'town hall' style meetings to build a campaigning movement around his candidacy.

E-paper

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