CAMPAIGNS are in full flow across the county with such a short run-in till the November 29th General Election.
Ballot Beats is The Clare Echo’s new daily General Election (GE24) update where we will have observations on the campaigning and issues of the day impact on candidates in Co Clare.
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Teachers have been the first target in the campaign, courtesy of remarks from Ryanair CEO, Michael O’Leary at the launch of Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Peter Burke’s (FG).
O’Leary commented, “The Dáil is full of teachers. Nothing wrong with teachers, I love teachers but I wouldn’t generally employ a lot of teachers to go out and get things done”.
This prompted criticism from Mary Lou McDonald (SF) and resulted in Taoiseach Simon Harris (FG) distancing Fine Gael from the remarks. The Irish National Teachers Organisation (INTO), which represents primary teachers, said in a statement: “Teachers are the backbone of our country, shaping futures, inspiring minds, and driving the success of our society. The recent remarks by the CEO of Ryanair at Minister Burke’s General Election campaign launch are both outrageous and deeply insulting to the dedication and hard work of Ireland’s teachers”.
As a former primary school teacher, a comment from outgoing TD, Cathal Crowe (FF) on the subject is expected.
Éire Óg’s footballers prevailed in the Munster Club senior football championship with two candidates pressing the flesh among spectators in Cusack Park. Cllr Rita McInerney (FF) was there to watch her nephew Mark McInerney line out with the Ennis club while Eddie Punch (II) was handing out flyers as patrons made their way in by Francis Street.
Given there was such a poor attendance of 972 for the game, many of whom were from Adare and ineligible to vote in Clare, McInerney at least got to support a family member while Punch also used the occasion to canvass across the county town meeting again with different business owners.
Also on the sporting scene, Paddy Murphy (IND) was in the more glamorous setting of the Aviva Stadium this weekend as he watched Ireland lose 23-13 to New Zealand.
Hitting the ground running has been Cllr Joe Cooney (FG) who toured Tulla, Crusheen, Mountshannon, Ruan, Whitegate and Kilkishen where members of his canvassing team included Senator Martin Conway (FG), Cllr John Crowe (FG), ex Junior Minister Pat Breen (FG) and Senator Garret Ahearn (FG). The support of such a vast array of elected members from Fine Gael at a local and national level has strengthened his campaign.
Dr Tom Nolan (FG) has been making house calls of a different nature in West Clare where he has been accompanied by former TD, Madeline Taylor Quinn (FG) who has taken on a prominent role within his campaign. Old friends joined Leonora Carey (FG) as she continued her canvass across the weekend.
Feakle was the focus this morning for a lot of candidates. They included Cathal Crowe TD (FF). He attended the Christmas Craft Fair organised by the East Clare Women’s Shed in Feakle Community Hall where he was joined by Cllr Pat Hayes (FF). He picked up some items including six mince pies, a snow globe in a coffee cup and a Clare decoration before heading to Kilkishen where he finished his canvass of the village.
Also spending the morning in Feakle was Senator Timmy Dooley (FF) who also took the opportunity to straighten up some of his election posters. To date, he has billboard like signs in some parts of the county which will pose the question to the electorate does size matter when determining what way to vote at election time.
Indeed, Senator Dooley has highlighted “criminal thugs” who defaced one particular billboard and he outlined, “I won’t be intimidated by your actions or those of your masters”.
Hilary Tonge (SD) headed North but commenced on the Lahinch Rd in Ennis before heading for Ennistymon, Lahinch, Doolin and Liscannor.
“We need vibrant towns and villages” was the message from Senator Roisin Garvey (GP) as she formed part of the Greens promotion for the launch of their campaign manifesto which highlighted the role they played in rolling out remote working hubs while pointing out the need for facilities to cater for everyone in the family in each community. She was also in Feakle on Sunday morning and even had the task of picking out raffle winners.
Over the weekend, Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF) was in Westbury while also meeting with the newly formed Shannon Banks Tidy Towns group.
Without a Sinn Féin crew of canvassers, the campaign is more different for Violet-Anne Wynne (IND) who has been left frustrated with comments by veteran campaign manager Eugene Drennan on The Electoral Chair prompting her to emphasise the work she has been doing on behalf of the people of Clare during her four years as a TD.
Crime and anti-social behavior emerged as a big issue for Matthew Moroney (IND) during his campaign of Sixmilebridge. A tragedy in West Clare has stalled the campaign of Kevin Hassett (IND). June Dillon (AON) has said the campaign has been an enjoyable and educational one to date.
Caitriona Ní Cathain (SOC) is working on a low-key campaign while Amanda Major (IND) was busy attending events with both Michael Leahy (IFP) and Michael Loughrey (NA) saying they are getting a good reception in the early stages of their Dáil bids.
Ballot Beats will be back on Monday as the first full week of the campaign commences.
