CLARE COUNTY COUNCIL is today Monday hosting a special meeting where six individuals are trying to secure the local authority’s nomination to contest the Presidential election.
15:41 – Meeting has concluded. Thanks to you all for tuning in.
15:40 – Clare County Council will not be nominating a candidate for the Presidential election.
15:39 – “She picked two outlier cases which were unfortunate,” Cllr Mary Howard (FG) voices criticism with the “irresponsible” comments of Sarah-Louise Mulligan. “She did a complete disservice to the women of Ireland”. She adds, “the fact she is a fan of that despot (Trump) speaks volumes”.
15:38 – Cllr Pat Daly (FF) pressed his microphone by mistake when asked for a nomination.
15:37 – Cllr Murphy praises all candidates for speaking before the meeting. He asks the floor if there is a nomination.
15:37 – Meeting resumes.
15:26 – Meeting is adjourned for ten minutes for councillors to decide if they will back a candidate.
15:25 – “Can I not get in this time, seriously Paul” Cllr Mary Howard (FG) criticises the Mayor for not being let in to speak. “I will not accept that,” says Cllr Murphy on the insinuation from his party colleague that she has been stopped from speaking.
15:24 – The Olympics could come to Ireland if the resources given to the greyhounds and horse racing industries was given to athletics, says Gerben. Fox hunting is banned in the UK, he tells the meeting.
15:23 – “What is your issue with horse racing, I’ve been to plenty of horse meetings and have never seen a horse abused,” states Cllr Pat Burke (FG). “Go down to Listowel and see the boost to the economy,” he adds.
15:22 – “I want to be the first immigrant President,” Gerben tells Clare councillors.
15:21 – Gerben says that there should be a Directly Elected Mayor in every county and that the Town Councils should return.
15:20 – Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) asks if Gerben considered running for elected office. Cllr Garrihy unfortunately didn’t read The Clare Echo this morning which had details of Gerben’s previous attempts for public office.
15:19 – He responds to say the triple lock is important for the Ukraine border. “What you are saying is entirely inaccurate,” says Colleran Molloy. The duo previously were on the same ballot in 2014 for the Ennis MD election.
15:18 – Clarity on Gerben’s understanding of the triple lock is sought by Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF).
15:17 – “You are continuing to educate yourself which is a great way to be,” says Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF). He says all elected members are against cruelty to animals.
15:16 – Cllr James Ryan (SF) says it is good to hear Gerben support maintaining the triple lock and praises his views on immigration.
15:15 – An Ireland of warmth and welcome has not been showcased in the views of some candidates says Gerben.
15:15 – Meanwhile, Offaly County Council has voted not to nominate a presidential election candidate. Gareth Sheridan has missed out on nominations in Offaly and Meath today while opting not to come before the meeting of Clare County Council.
15:13 – Gerben says the President can play a role in re-assessing Shannon Airport. He calls for an end of military forces using Shannon Airport.
15:12 – Funds given to horse racing by the Government would be better served given to mental health services, argues Gerben.
15:11 – Some technical difficulties means Gerben’s powerpoint is not shared on screen.
15:10 – “Animal cruelty is at an all-time high,” states Gerben.
15:09 – Next up is Gerben Uunk of the Animal Welfare Party.
15:08 – “Is there a parish more intrinsically linked to the Presidency” (than Miltown Malbay) quips Cllr Shane Talty (FF) noting the references from Dr Stack, the birthplace of Patrick Hillery and West Clare connections of Jim Gavin.
15:07 – Dr Stack has spoken for fifteen minutes and finishes,”I ask you to defy your orders of the Government, you will be glad you did it, every single thing has been done to block me coming her today”. No time for questions due to the amount of time she spoke for.
15:06 – There’s no prize for the best-dressed councillor in Clare here today, Cllr Gabriel Keating (FG) is well known for his suit collection but the nod if there was a prize, today the winner would be Cllr Dinny Gould (IND).
15:05 – Among those watching from the public gallery is former Clare Champion reporter, Tony Mulvey and members of Clare County Council’s communications staff.
15:04 – “Chronic loneliness and isolation” is shattering lives according to Dr Stack.
15:03 – Mayor Murphy advises Dr Stack she has been speaking for ten minutes and will eat into her time for taking questions. She says she wants to finish her speech “because it is important”.
15:02 – Dr Stack again says her computers were locked, appears she may be blaming external forces for deliberating blocking her computers “but they couldn’t get into my work computer”.
15:01 – Ireland is gone too greedy, “an obsession with consumerism and greed is ruining Ireland”.
15:00 – Cora references Miltown Malbay twice as an example of services disappearing. “A country where rural Ireland declines is a country diminished”.
14:59 – “A lot of people would say we’re becoming America number two, we’re going that way unless we change that direction,” Dr Stack says.
14:58 – Bullying of women in the Defence Forces will not be tolerated says Dr Stack.
14:57 – Cora continues, “A woman from Co Kerry that they stitched up big time, allegedly. I hope Clare is a fairer county that Kerry when it comes to politics, allegedly”. She says she won’t “sell my soul to Sinn Fein”.
14:56 – Coercion and gaslighting are among the areas, Cora said she wants to tackle while protecting the Constitution.
14:55 – “Integrity is the foundation of trust,” states Dr Stack.
14:54 – Dr Stack has said she has made 100 edits to her speech.
14:52 – Dr Cora Stack (IND) is next to address the meeting. She says she has been locked out of computers all morning.
14:52 – Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) asks councillors to stick to the Presidential election and not diverting to the US President.
14:51 – Cllr Mary Howard (FG) says the comments of Mulligan are “very disrespectful”. She says Mulligan has “blinkers on”.
14:50 – “I have a problem with uncontrolled immigration which is going on at the moment, we need to control our borders.. I respect your views with cheerleading all different nationalities into Ireland but we need to look after our own first,” comments Mulligan. “We’re too busy giving homes away to the illegals”.
14:49 – Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) admits he is “taken aback” by some of the comments of Sarah-Louise Mulligan.
14:48 – “I would not in any way support you to become President of this great country,” Cllr Colleran Molloy tells Sarah-Louise Mulligan.
14:47 – Cllr Clare Colleran Molloy (FF) says it would be a chaotic system if anybody could run for the Presidency. A naturalised citizen of America, she says “it is breaking my heart” to see what is happening in America. “President Trump is against free speech unless he likes the speech”.
14:45 – Sarah-Louise says Trump is loved by a lot of people in America.
14:44 – Cllr James Ryan (SF) says it is a bit hypocritical to want free speech and be Donald Trump’s biggest fan. He questions her understanding of politics. “I find it very offensive,” he said while telling Mulligan he is married to an immigrant. “Check why Enoch Burke is in trouble, it is not free speech”.
14:42 – Mulligan says she agrees with O’Callaghan but says people must be deported and not get a slap on the wrist, “we need to secure our borders. I would be very like President Trump if I was elected”. She said he is among Trump’s biggest fans and calls for Enoch Burke to get his savings back and also says she is a big fan of Elon Musk. “This Council has treated me very well, I cannot say the same about Dublin City Council”. She is critical of not getting an interview from Virgin Media or RTÉ and points out she received 10,000 likes on Twitter, “I don’t know if any other Independent candidate has received that amount”.
14:40 – Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) notes she references free speech and says it is very important. “I would have a little bit of difficulty is making reference to the new people coming into this country, the majority of which are very welcome, a lot of our businesses have traded very well because of them. Only for them, we wouldn’t have services in our hospitals. We have to welcome all, as we were in the bad times we had to emigrate to America”. He said vetting must improve “to ensure the correct people are in our country”.
14:40 – “As your President, I will be an entrepreneurial President,” she said.
14:39 – Sarah-Louise tells the meeting she worked in nursing homes during COVID-19.
14:38 – Enoch Burke is referenced by Sarah-Louise, “he was imprisoned for speaking his mind, his beliefs were compromised and his €50,000 in savings were removed”.
14:38 – “Young couples can’t afford to buy a home which must change”, Sarah-Louise said. She said she will prioritise building homes for Irish families.
14:37 – According to Mulligan, the death of Ashling Murphy highlighted failings in Ireland’s immigration policy.
14:36 – Next up is Sarah Louise Mulligan, “hello my Irish citizens”. She says Ireland is a critical juncture with people unsafe on the streets and open borders.
14:35 – Mulcahy’s time has run out.
14:34 – Mulcahy says he has been involved in the development of Knock Airport but notes the county which he is in and Shannon’s importance and opts not to delve further on that point. He was also involved in the Western Development Commission.
14:34 – Cllr Joe Killeen (FF) notes that there is a feeling of economic imbalance in the West of Ireland and asks how he would address this.
14:33 – “If this gets any further get used to hearing the word peace,” Diarmaid adds.
14:32 – “It is about bringing people together and looking at a peaceful solution,” Mulcahy continues. He says there will be political and economic aspects to navigate. “I believe respect for different ideologies is important”.
14:29 – “I will answer in a slightly roundabout way” replies Mulcahy. He says his father’s aunt had a plumb tree at the side of a door in a house, he and his sister used to beside it when they were taught the words of ‘A Nation Once Again’ from the age of six. “That talks about a United Ireland, my personal opinion, I believe a United Ireland would be an important step, I totally acknowledge the significance of making that statement, I believe it is an important step forward”.
14:27 – Cllr Michael Shannon (FF) says “all candidates have great confidence in taking part in this process”. The issue of a United Ireland is a question that will come up during the term of the next President and asks what values he will have to appease both sides “in order for dialogue and proper negotiations. The President of Ireland will be one of the central points in this mechanism”.
14:26 – Mulcahy asks councillors to vote with their conscience.
14:26 – The Presidency is a ceremonial role “but it does have some teeth,” Diarmaid states.
14:23 – “I have been disappointed with how some local authorities have processed this,” Mulcahy admits.
14:22 – “According to Google there wasn’t a Siege of Ennis, I know it was a dance we did at home as kids, the relevance to the Presidential election is freedom and something under siege. My belief is the freedom of expression and action is under threat,” Diarmaid comments.
14:21 – Diarmaid thanks Clare County Council for how they have accommodated him to use a room to address another local authority.
14:20 – Next up to address the meeting is Diarmaid Mulcahy (IND), “I speak fluent Irish, it is important to be someone who speaks fluent Irish in seeking this nomination”.
14:18 – Keith McGrory has been called to speak but has not arrived yet.
14:18 – Cllr Tom O’Callaghan (FF) said he was struck with Searlait’s positivity. “You are very caring, we do have issues and problems. From a personal point of view it is not easy to put your name forward so well done”.
14:17 – “If you’re not willing to stand up for anything, you will fall for anything,” Searlait stated.
14:16 – “I have a place in my heart for Morocco,” Searlait adds. She moves on to recalling Italia 90, “the whole country was on a high, that is what they were like in Qatar”.
14:15 – She has travelled to Turkey to “get my Turkish teeth” and says this is a failure of our health system.
14:13 – Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) praises Searlait for her passion and asks if she has travelled or lived abroad. “I describe myself as a traveller,” she responds while recounting moving away in her youth and the difficulties being Irish in the United Kingdom. She also lived in Uganda.
14:12 – “As an artist, we don’t things for money, we do things for love and I love Ireland.. I hope you love me too,” Searlait concludes.
14:10 – She says there are complex mental health concerns with Ireland’s younger population due to the use of Class A drugs.
14:09 – Searlait begins by saying “we are all products of our environment”. Referencing her upbringing in the Midlands, “it is time for a change, I stand in solidarity with those less fortunate than myself”. She said her vision for the future is rooted “in the core values of equality, fairness and transparency”.
14:07 – Searlait Ní Chianáin (IND) is first up. She begins address by thanking elected members of Kerry County Council before quickly correcting herself as she remembers she is in Co Clare.
14:05 – Mayor of Clare, Cllr Paul Murphy (FG) welcomes all to the Council Chamber. He reminds candidates they must comply with standing orders with an emphasis on respect and dignity. He tells candidates their speaking rights can be revoked if they violate the Council’s Code of Conduct. Each candidate to get ten minutes of speaking time.
14:04 – Meeting begins with a prayer.
14:03 – Searlait Ní Chianáin and Diarmaid Mulcahy are the first of the prospective candidates to have arrived in the Council chamber.
13:59 – Fáilte all, we’re live here from Áras Contae an Chláir where six hopefuls for the Presidential election are trying to secure a nomination from Clare County Council to put their name on the ballot for October 24th. Searlait Ní Chianáin, Keith McGrory, Diarmaid Mulcahy, Sarah-Louise Mulligan, Dr Cora Stack and Gerben Uunk will all pitch their case to Clare councillors this afternoon.
