Rural uprising leads to birth of new party

A new political organisation is set to be established in rural County Galway – and it already has the support of some well-known campaigners.

The new movement will be known as Clann na Tuaithe (rural alliance) and they are inviting the newest TD in the Dail, Mick Fitzmaurice, from Glinsk to lead it.

In fact a number of members of the new organisation campaigned in Connemara for MEP Luke Ming Flanagan, whose seat Deputy Fitzmaurice took in Roscommon.

They believe that the political future in this country will be in coalitions and they feel that they can elect enough TDs to be part of the next administration.

Former councillor Seosamh Ó Cuaig and anti-septic tank campaigner Pádraic a Táilliúra Ó Conghaile are behind the establishment of the new rural alliance.

They say that Deputy Fitzmaurice could have a lot of influence on political matters in this country in the future.

“To forge an alliance that would stand unashamedly for the rural communities is the way forward,” said Seosamh Ó Cuaig.

“It must be obvious to the most blinkered person by now that it will be very difficult for any party to attain political power in Ireland for many years to come.

“We are very definitely in the age of coalition. There was never a better chance for rural people to build an organisation on which the big parties would be depending on to form a new government,” he added.

Seosamh Ó Cuaig served two terms on Galway County Council and three terms as being a member of Udaras na Gaeltachta. He has no intention of getting out of politics.

He said that unlike the party established by Lucinda Creighton, Clann na Tuaithe had several realistic policies and these included the development of post offices.

They are also against the closure of small schools and rural Garda stations while they also want a major overhaul of lands that are designated special areas of conservation (SACs).

According to Seosamh Ó Cuaig, the new alliance wants freedom for fishermen for penal regulations imposed by the European Union along with a modern broadband service for all rural areas.

They also want Udaras na Gaeltachta to broaden its base and the restoration of democratically elected members. They also are calling for major investment in the Wild Atlantic Way.

They see themselves as being similar to Clann na Talmhan which was established in the late 1930s, elected twelve TDs and was an influential part of the government at the time.