Galway Bay FM News Archives
Higgins in the race of a lifetime – and FG battle has only begun
Date Published: 22-Jun-2011
Michael D Higgins is one of the legends of Irish politics, with a pedigree in Galway West Dáil politics which goes back to 1969 – his first General Election in which he got 1,174 first preference votes.
He went on from there to become known as a national and international figure, respected for his views and many of the causes he espoused . . . which were not always the ones which would be popular at the ballot box.
Now he faces the political battle of a lifetime as he fights for the Presidency in succession to Mary McAleese, following his comfortable victory at the weekend Labour Selection Convention when he saw off the challenge of Fergus Finlay and Kathleen O’Meara.
In the end, it was a very comprehensive victory at the convention – Higgins 37 votes, Finlay 18 and O’Meara 7. Higgins was magnanimous in his victory speech and gave a flavour of the campaign to come when he suggested that it was time we fashioned a new post-crash image of ourselves and of Ireland.
Unless Fianna Fáil are to produce ‘a political rabbit out of the hat’ – such as quiet backing for an Independent candidate such as Mary Davis, Niall O’Dowd, or maybe even Miriam O’Callaghan – no one should rule out the possibility that Higgins could give this contest a real run.
Certainly, no one should underestimate the battle which Higgins will put up – he will bring to it the experience of someone who has been a TD for almost 25 years for Galway West, a formidable Minister for Arts, Culture and the Gaeltacht from 1993 to ’97, and someone with a personal cachet of popularity which stretches right across the
country.
However, there are signs building up that this Presidential Election could be one of the closest and toughest-fought political contests in years, not just because of the preliminaries involving the likes of David Norris, but also because there is a real opinion in some quarters in Fine Gael that they could win the Presidency.
The battle which is going on within the party is only beginning with TDs like Galway’s Brian Walsh and Ciaran Cannon reporting huge canvassing.
When it comes to the contest for Presidency itself, there will be no quarter between the FG and Labour camps, but right now the phones are hopping in Fine Gael, according to the likes of Cannon and Walsh.
July 9 is the key selection convention date in FG, when they will finally sort out who should be the candidate from amongst Gay Mitchell TD, Mairead McGuinness MEP and former MEP and President of the European Parliament Pat Cox, and Avril Doyle.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
Families queue up for school’s offer of free house
West has lower cancer survival rates than rest
Galway minors continue to lay waste to all opponents
Gardaí and IFA issue a joint appeal on summer road safety
Marathon Man plans to call a halt – but not before he hits 160 races
