Candidates address the issues in Cois Fharraige

A packed public meeting organised by Cumann Forbartha Chois Fharraige last Monday night was addressed by seven of the candidates who are contesting the Galway West-South Mayo constituency in next week’s General Election.

All the candidates bar one were invited to attend the meeting; because of his last minute nomination, Patrick Feeney was not issued with an invitation.

The seven who turned up to face questions from the audience were Éamon Ó Cuív T.D. (FF), Séamas Sheridan (GP), Niall Ó Tuathail (SD), Ruairí Ó Néill (DDI), Catherine Connolly (Ind), Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (SF) and Seán Kyne T.D. (FG).

Noel Grealish (Ind) and John O’ Mahoney (FG) had sent written apologies for not being in attendance.

Derek Nolan (Lab) and John Connolly (FF) had indicated they would be in attendance but pulled out at the last minute.

The meeting, which was chaired by Gormfhlaith Ní Thuairisg of Raidió na Gaeltachta, was heated at times as two people present tried to raise personal issues with the candidates but were ruled out of order and were asked to talk to the candidates after the meeting, which one of them did. The other walked out.

The meeting was conducted through Irish, Séamus Sheridan of the Greens being the only candidate whose command of Irish wasn’t up to it.

Sitting beside him, Éamon Ó Cuív provided him with translation of questions when needed.

The issues raised from the floor ranged from the local to the international.

The first question was about the Trade Facilitation Agreement (TFA) being negotiated in secret at the moment, which could have major implications for countries attempting to protect local indigenous industries.

The freezing of a lot of Cois Fharraige from any house building, due to seven routes for a possible new road from Galway to Ros a’ Mhíl.

A questioner who wanted to get rid of An Bord Pleanála got no support for his proposition. The petition of the Aran Island communities were listed. Éamon Ó Cuív was the only one able to say that they were incorporated into his party’s manifesto.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.