CLARE’s election candidates were put through their paces in an entertaining debate held at Hotel Woodstock in the key moment of Thursday’s campaign.

Ballot Beats is The Clare Echo’s daily General Election (GE24) update. Support what we do by becoming a Clare Echo subscriber right away!

Close to 200 people were in the Liscannor Suite of Hotel Woodstock for The Electoral Chair: Election Debate in an event sponsored by OneBill.ie.

Candidates discussed several issues including Shannon Airport, Ennis Hospital, infrastructure, housing, business, crime, Moneypoint, environment, immigration and tourism.

Part one featured, Cllr Joe Cooney (FG), Senator Timmy Dooley (FF), Senator Roisin Garvey (GP), Michael Loughrey (IP), Cllr Rita McInerney (FF), Matthew Moroney (IND), Paddy Murphy (IND) and Eddie Punch (IND).

On part two, Leonora Carey (FG), Cathal Crowe TD (FF), Kevin Hassett (IND), Michael Leahy (IFP), Amanda Major (IND), Cllr Donna McGettigan (SF), Tom Nolan (FG) Hilary Tonge (SD) and Violet-Anne Wynne TD (IND).

Apologies were received from June Dillon (AON), Catriona Ni Chatháin (SOC) and Barry O’Donovan (RAB).

This debate will be made available on clareecho.ie over the coming days.

Related News

lees rd astro lights 1
€200k upgrade completed at Lees Rd
bike reuse scheme 1
91 bicycles donated in reuse scheme
bunratty castle & folk park christmas 14-12-25 quinn hughes 2
Christmas cheer in Bunratty
27112025_Council_Christmas_Lights_0110
Christmas shopping hours for Clare stores
Latest News
bunratty castle & folk park christmas 14-12-25 quinn hughes 2
Christmas cheer in Bunratty
27112025_Council_Christmas_Lights_0110
Christmas shopping hours for Clare stores
áine donegan 1
Donegan 'over the moon' to secure European Tour card for 2026
brendan o'mara
High Court challenge an obstacle in case of Meelick Ryanair pilot charged with €10m drugs seizure
hedge cutting 1
'Unreal legal letters' received by Council over hedge cutting
Premium
Clarecastle charts new era with election of first female top table as Chair, Secretary & Treasurer
Extensive Garda file to be prepared on Pro-Palestinian activists who targeted Shannon Airport plane
Delays acquiring Dean's Field to provide parking in Killaloe due to 'convoluted' legal process
Lack of progress pushing the West Clare Greenway off track
'This is like the Lisbon Treaty' - delegates vote against regrading reform on its return to agenda

Subscribe for just €3 per month

If you’re here, you care about County Clare. So do we. Did you rely on us for Covid-19 updates, follow our election coverage, or visit The Clare Echo every week for breaking news and sport? The Clare Echo invests in local journalism and we want to safeguard its future in our county. By becoming a subscriber you are supporting what we do, will receive access to all our premium articles and a better experience, while helping us improve our offering to you. Subscribe to clareecho.ie and get the first six months for just €3 a month (less than 75c per week), and thereafter €8 per month. Cancel anytime, limited time offer. T&Cs Apply. www.clareecho.ie.