Polls don't influence our selection of candidates says FF general secretary

Thu, Sep 11, 2008

Fianna Fail top brass stated yesterday that they do not allow any polls, whether commissioned or not, to set their agenda when it comes to selecting candidates for elections.

October to be a red letter month for some FFers

Thu, Sep 11, 2008

October was a significant date for the Soviets as the October Revolution of 1917 overthrew the Russian provisional government and eventually led to the creation of the Soviet Union in 1922.

Labour to run six candidates in the city

Thu, Sep 11, 2008

It is not just Fianna Fáil that wants to make a comeback in Galway City West, Labour are also determined to regain a seat here in the 2009 Local Elections.

Anyone willing to don a Blueshirt?

Thu, Sep 11, 2008

Perhaps in a fit of enthusiasm Fianna Fáil members with aspirations have put Whitesnake’s Ready an’Willing on repeat on their iPods. There are certainly plenty of people ready and willing to run for Fianna Fáil at the next local elections.

Fine Gael however are wondering if too many of their members have been taking Frank Sinatra’s 1959 album No One Cares a little too seriously. The party is finding it difficult to get people interested in running for election to City Hall in 2009 and to compound matters its selection convention is due to be held within the next six weeks or so.

Could John Connolly be Ó Cuív’s successor?

Thu, Sep 04, 2008

As is traditional nowadays, the various political parties converge on a chosen hotel at an appropriate venue prior to the recommencement of Dáil hostilities.

Don’t bet on me to run again, said Callanan

Thu, Sep 04, 2008

While Independent Cllr Daniel Callanan has been on the record for the past 18 months that he will not seek re-election to the Galway City Council, the belief persists that he will be a candidate next year.

Mountbellew to host its 104th show next week

Thu, Sep 04, 2008

The 104th annual Mountbellew Agricultural Show will take place on September 13.

Calm before the storm — The fun kicks off in September

Thu, Aug 14, 2008

The parties will all tell you they’re shattered after the last two years – and to tell the truth so are many of the political journalists’ said one hack on radio recently when asked how the politicians can find it in them to justify their lengthy summer break!

Interesting times for Cann and Dec — Galway’s two party leaders

Thu, Aug 14, 2008

The next few months will prove to be career-defining times in the lives of Galway’s two party leaders.

The perfect running mate

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

No doubt all you political junkies who tune into these pages weekly have seen the very successful series on TG 4 called The Running Mate — all sitting politicians have a variety known as the perfect one. They exist to keep the incumbent in and their selection and placement on the ticket involved some very skillful old style convention rigging. From what Insider understands, picking a fool to run with you is a sport that's about to be made extinct.

Galway poster ban welcomed by hungry newspaper owners?

Thu, Aug 07, 2008

The suggestion this week by the dashing Neil McNeilis that all political posters should be banned in the city during next year’s local elections is one that will be welcomed in all sectors — especially as it will mean that there won’t be any pictures of red-faced jowly councillors glaring down on all those sailors who will hit town next year for the Volvo Ocean Race.

The move will mean that posters won’t be left up for months fluttering in the post-eelction winds when their owners will have forgotten about them in the joy of victory or the lows of defeat.

Adjustments and arguments

Thu, Jul 31, 2008

AS THE Galway Races gets under way the latest Fianna Fáil ‘cutback’ - or ‘adjustment’ if you prefer - will be obvious to one and all. The Fianna Fáil tent is no more. Is this a sign of the times or just a sensible move by new Taoiseach Brian Cowen?

City councillors saw payments rise in 2007

Thu, Jul 31, 2008

The earnings and expenses of the 15 Galway city councillors rose by €30,000 between 2006 and 2007, with left leaning councillors enjoying the biggest sums with payments between €30,000+ and €46,000+.

Will the PDs gift control of county council to Fianna Fáil?

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

The PDs may be about to be swallowed up into the bowels of Fianna Fáil, but if this happens, they will guarantee the Soldiers of Destiny the right to control the Galway County Council after the 2009 Local Elections.

Has Grealish pulled rabbit from hat on bypass issue? Or is the bunny boiled?

Thu, Jul 24, 2008

Has Noel Grealish pulled the rabbit out of the hat regarding the Claregalway bypass? There is much scepticism in the area about the ability of the Carnmore man to land the big road as he promised prior to the last election. And this week the waters have been muddied again.

Will the economic cutbacks see a cutback in councillors’ support?

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

This time next year all the hullabaloo of the Local and European elections will be over and a new city council and mayor will have been elected. In the meantime, the big question is, how will the current economic climate and cutbacks affect the members of the council in their bids to be re-elected?

City solicitor emerges as potential candidate for Fianna Fáil

Thu, Jul 17, 2008

Peter Keane, a solicitor and former rugby player from the Taylor’s Hill area, is seen as the most likely candidate to stand for Fianna Fáil in Galway City West in the 2009 Local Elections.