TEMPERATURES are cold but the election campaign is only heating up in Co Clare.
Ballot Beats is The Clare Echo’s daily General Election (GE24) update. Support what we do by becoming a Clare Echo subscriber right away!
On day fourteen of the campaign, political followers that attended The Electoral Chair: Election Debate dissected the performances of the seventeen candidates in attendance.
A visit to the Doonbeg hotel of US President Elect Donald Trump was made by Michael Leahy (IFP). “What Ireland needs is a Trump Style Revolution. The NGO sector and our political and media systems have become a ‘swamp’ that threatens our future, and needs to be drained. The international context is changing and we need to adapt”.
Endorsements from Cllr Joe Garrihy (FG) and Cllr Bill Slattery (FG) capped off a busy day in North Clare for Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) which included stops in Doolin, Lisdoonvarna, Ballyvaughan and Carron. “Plenty of issues and opportunities discussed on the canvass from tourism to the cost of living and from housing and road infrastructure to immigration and the SME sector,” Cooney said.
Representatives of Family Carers Ireland were met by Eddie Punch (II). “Meeting the real heroes this morning in Ennis- carers that look after loved ones and thereby save the state a fortune. But they’re not getting what they deserve-it’s time to put more resources into respite, abolish the means test and cut out time wasting bureaucracy”.
Another early morning start saw Senator Timmy Dooley (FG) canvass workers, this time those on the Gort Rd in Ennis. His day also included campaigning in Moy, Lahinch and Ennistymon.
Health was the main issue on the doors as Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) canvassed Ennis. “The main issue on the doors was health. One of my top priorities is to reinstate 24-hour A&E services at Ennis General Hospital, ensuring that every person in Clare has access to life-saving care within the crucial golden hour”.
Sinn Féin’s promotion of Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) has seen the party release a new promo where she hears the views of senior officials in the party including Eoin Ó Broin (SF), Pearse Doherty (SF), David Cullinan (SF) and Matt Carty (SF).
Taylor’s Bar in Ennis was visited by Paddy Murphy (IND) as he tried to win more votes in the county town. He also touched on the importance of Shannon Airport when recounting his time as a student in the Shannon College of Hotel Management. He praised the access road, fast security and duty free in Shannon Airport, “I’d love to see the Airport linked to the rail network there, it is only a couple of miles away and there is no excuse for that”. More connectivity with European hubs such as Amsterdam and Munich will also improve Shannon, he said.
Shannon Airport’s importance to the region was also touched on by Cathal Crowe TD (FF). “As my party’s Aviation Spokesperson I have worked night and day to ensure that Shannon Airport would emerge from the Covid pandemic in the strongest possible position. I have helped to secure millions in funding for the airport to develop and worked relentlessly to devise new policies that support Shannon and attract new routes to/from this region. Aviation is more thank ‘work’ for me – it’s a lifelong passion and if elected next week, I will continue to, ‘drive-on’ the aviation agenda and continue to be THE voice for Shannon Airport,” he said.
Dr Tom Nolan (FG) took his campaign to Shannon where shoppers in Shannon Town Centre were diverted away from their trolleys and towards his canvassing team. Later in the day he met with MEP, Maria Walsh (FG).
Dereliction in the county was flagged by Hilary Tonge (SD). “We’ve to rethink how to support businesses at a local level to ensure viability of our towns and villages, we have to encourage the repopulation of our town centres but the stakeholders must be front and centre of any decision of its town or its future”.
Promoting her views on health and what she can do for services in the Mid-West were Leonora Carey (FG) while Matthew Moroney (IND) welcomed the opportunity to partake in a lively and enjoyable debate on The Electoral Chair. Carey has been endorsed by Cllr Paul Murphy (FG).
Media are “discriminating” against independents claimed Kevin Hassett (IND) with no basis for his assertion.
Ennis, Lahinch and Miltown Malbay was the focus for Senator Roisin Garvey (GP). She also highlighted that the Generation Green Community Fund is now open to applicants.
Also appearing on the ballot paper in Clare are, June Dillon (AON), Michael Loughrey (IP),
Catriona Ni Chatháin (SOC), Barry O’Donovan (RAB) and Violet-Anne Wynne (IND).
