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

160A8707
St Flannans to meet St Josephs in Harty Cup semi-final
160A8326
St Josephs through to Harty Cup hurling semi-final
pexels-robshumski-1903707
Yellow warning with 53km/h winds to hit Clare over the weekend
Gemma Hayes-by Charlotte (@underthefeather) (1)
Resonance Festival reveals 2026 line-up and February dates
Latest News
pexels-robshumski-1903707
Yellow warning with 53km/h winds to hit Clare over the weekend
ryan griffin conor finnucane mikey o'neill matt shea 1
Lissycasey look to championship winning selector & ex Clare footballers in bid to make breakthrough
éire óg v kilmaley 20-09-25 brian culbert 2
Culbert going back for year four with Kilmaley
Gemma Hayes-by Charlotte (@underthefeather) (1)
Resonance Festival reveals 2026 line-up and February dates
pexels-cottonbro-4910779
Government’s decision against Mercosur deal a 'big relief' to Clare farmers
Premium
Culbert going back for year four with Kilmaley
Donagh back for fifth season with beaten finalists Doora/Barefield
Narrow defeat for Clare against All-Ireland champs Kerry
Cullinan making comeback as Inagh/Kilnamona manager
Tommy Tiernan helps object to now withdrawed €1.4bn off-shore windfarm

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.