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

m18 traffic 08-04-26 2
Teenager in TUSLA care a 'social admission' to hospital as Gardaí unable to transfer 14 year old to Dublin with motorway protests
wes browne avenue utd 07-04-26 3
Ex Manchester Utd defender Wes Brown links up with Avenue Utd's U13s
m18 traffic 08-04-26 3
'Widespread damage' to Clare economy with ongoing fuel protests say Ennis Chamber
timmy dooley 1
Dooley to lead talks in efforts to end fuel protests but says view Government has profited on excise duty is 'lovely simplistic argument'
Latest News
newmarket celtic v bridge utd 07-12-25 alan john mulready 1
Three Clare sides in FAI Junior Cup action with Newmarket & Bridge to face off
seamus mcmahon kieran molloy 1
Young Cooraclare owner prevails in race named after Galway boxer Molloy
hearse m18 protest 11-04-26 1
'Driven to the grave by fuel prices' - hearse joins M18 road blockade
clare vs dublin 05-04-26 shane o'donnell 2
PLAYER RATINGS: Shane O'Donnell & Mark Rodgers turn in top performances to help Clare capture league title
m18 traffic 08-04-26 2
Teenager in TUSLA care a 'social admission' to hospital as Gardaí unable to transfer 14 year old to Dublin with motorway protests
Premium
Hayes hails improvement in Clare's workrate, shooting efficiency & kickout retention
Dooley to lead talks in efforts to end fuel protests but says view Government has profited on excise duty is 'lovely simplistic argument'
Kilker's strike sends Tulla through to third round of FAI Junior Cup
Lissycasey leap to top of Cusack Cup with third win on the trot
'Blockades must be removed as matter of critical urgency' says Crowe following meeting with protestors

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.