General Election 2016 Galway West

Baggy Trousers · 13-02-2016 6:13pm

LowOdour wrote: »

The fecking road works are been carried out in front of his own family home also, so he may not even vote for himself!

From what I heard Kyne organised a lot of meetings about the roadworks but achieved very little. I believe the contractors had a very advantageous contract but in the end were replaced. The roadworks themselves achieved very little and were due to end in November/December but are still ongoing.
He will lose votes from it but he should still get elected because Walsh pulled out.

snubbleste · 15-02-2016 11:59am

Anyone know if GBFM have a local debate with candidates coming up?

Webbs · 15-02-2016 12:27pm

Baggy Trousers wrote: »

From what I heard Kyne organised a lot of meetings about the roadworks but achieved very little. I believe the contractors had a very advantageous contract but in the end were replaced. The roadworks themselves achieved very little and were due to end in November/December but are still ongoing.
He will lose votes from it but he should still get elected because Walsh pulled out.

Until Ireland gets their head around voting in TDs on a National agenda not local issues that should be dealt with by the local Councillors - we will always end up with a Dail full of just that, local Councillors who dont have a clue about the bigger picture.
I had hoped that the last election may have started us down that road, but it now seems we are going back to who can fill in the most pot holes gets elected

Baggy Trousers · 15-02-2016 12:28pm

Webbs wrote: »

Until Ireland gets their head around voting in TDs on a National agenda not local issues that should be dealt with by the local Councillors - we will always end up with a Dail full of just that, local Councillors who dont have a clue about the bigger picture.
I had hoped that the last election may have started us down that road, but it now seems we are going back to who can fill in the most pot holes gets elected

I completely agree on national agenda but I am calling it as I see it.
Our political system is completely dysfunctional.

Unrealistic · 15-02-2016 4:19pm

Webbs wrote: »

Until Ireland gets their head around voting in TDs on a National agenda not local issues that should be dealt with by the local Councillors - we will always end up with a Dail full of just that, local Councillors who dont have a clue about the bigger picture.
I had hoped that the last election may have started us down that road, but it now seems we are going back to who can fill in the most pot holes gets elected

Indeed. I had one current TD come to my door and tell me I should vote for him because he is likely to be the only Galway City TD to stand a chance of being elected and there would be no one to "represent the area" otherwise.

Baggy Trousers · 15-02-2016 5:02pm

Unrealistic wrote: »

Indeed. I had one current TD come to my door and tell me I should vote for him because he is likely to be the only Galway City TD to stand a chance of being elected and there would be no one to "represent the area" otherwise.

Who was that exactly?

snubbleste · 15-02-2016 5:45pm

Radio1 have a seven-way debate coming up in Galway

Zzippy · 15-02-2016 6:05pm

Baggy Trousers wrote: »

Who was that exactly?

It's not hard to figure out - how many current TDs are from Galway city and standing for re-election?

Arghus · 15-02-2016 6:14pm

snubbleste wrote: »

Radio1 have a seven-way debate coming up in Galway

Hopefully there'll be a lot of dirty talk...

snubbleste · 15-02-2016 6:43pm

snubbleste wrote: »

Radio1 have a seven-way debate coming up in Galway

Traffic, traffic, housing, health

Baggy Trousers · 15-02-2016 9:08pm

Zzippy wrote: »

It's not hard to figure out - how many current TDs are from Galway city and standing for re-election?

Ah Walsh is gone so it must be Nolan. I personally think Nolan hasn't a hope.

Baggy Trousers · 15-02-2016 9:09pm

snubbleste wrote: »

Traffic, traffic, housing, health

And the Superquango!

snubbleste · 17-02-2016 11:30am

If Catherine Connolly gets elected, who is nominated to replace her on the Council?

fergiesfolly · 17-02-2016 1:49pm

snubbleste wrote: »

If Catherine Connolly gets elected, who is nominated to replace her on the Council?

Don't know, but you just know FHE will try and co-opt herself onto it.

saltsun · 17-02-2016 9:48pm

I find it easier to rule out who to vote for in this election, rather than being able to find someone I want to vote for. Some pundit said in the last fortnight that voters don't always go to the polls to elect someone, sometimes they go to vote someone out. Seems to be the direction I am headed. Ruled out another 4 or 5 candidates after listening to GBFM podcast from last night I think it was.

nuac · 17-02-2016 10:34pm

Baggy Trousers wrote: »

Damn I will miss this, I have a date!
Let me know how they get on.

And you let us know how your date goes.

We are very discreet here. Won't tell anyone. Cross our hearts etc

snubbleste · 18-02-2016 11:26am

Newstalk have revised their constituency prediction. Now
Kyne, Cuív Ó, Grealish, Connolly, Ó Clochartaigh

Baggy Trousers · 18-02-2016 11:59am

snubbleste wrote: »

Newstalk have revised their constituency prediction. Now
Kyne, Cuív Ó, Grealish, Connolly, Ó Clochartaigh

Yeah that's how I predicted it earlier. He also gave O'Tuathail an outside chance. I might give him my #1.

saltsun · 18-02-2016 2:30pm

snubbleste wrote: »

Newstalk have revised their constituency prediction. Now
Kyne, Cuív Ó, Grealish, Connolly, Clochartaigh Ó

FYP

Cuiv Ó to top the poll.

I wonder would Gerry "1+1=15 & 3/4's" Adams SOR interview have hurt Clochartaigh Ó's chances. While I largely agree with NT prediction I'm not fully 100% convinced who is going to win that last seat. 8 days is a long time.

Mrs OBumble · 18-02-2016 10:10pm

Baggy Trousers wrote: »

Yeah that's how I predicted it earlier. He also gave O'Tuathail an outside chance. I might give him my #1.

Anyone know where I would see O'Tuathail speak? I wouldn't usually vote for a small potentially loopy party, but a lot of their policy priorities make sense to me. Would like to assess the man, to see whether the mean things which his picture makes me think are justified.

saltsun · 18-02-2016 10:34pm

Mrs OBumble wrote: »

Anyone know where I would see O'Tuathail speak? I wouldn't usually vote for a small potentially loopy party, but a lot of their policy priorities make sense to me. Would like to assess the man, to see whether the mean things which his picture makes me think are justified.

I'm not a member of any party or a cheerleader of any party but it's looking likely from a process of elimination that O'Tuathail will get my No.1. I don't know where you can see him speak, maybe make contact with Galway SocDems, or O'Tuathail himself and ask?

I haven't met him, but I have been in contact with him, or rather he contacted me to learn about my particular sector within my industry. I put him in contact with a third party who briefed him on that situation.

In an unplanned event I had an opportunity to pose 2 questions to a panel of candidates regarding that industry. O'Tuathail absolutely nailed the topics, much better than another candidate who has in fairness to him been dealing with that for years.

Why does that matter?

Because it tells me that he is intelligent enough to seek out information, receive and understand a (no doubt as I know who gave it) comprehensive briefing, actually listen, retain that information and recall it when needed.

That impressed me. (Actually the person who briefed him was impressed by him in person, but I wasn't there so..)

Others, actually involved in that industry, have received similar briefings and regurgitated either a vacant look or a stock answer unrelated to the question.

Detail is important.

elguapo · 19-02-2016 2:49pm

saltsun wrote: »

I'm not a member of any party or a cheerleader of any party but it's looking likely from a process of elimination that O'Tuathail will get my No.1. I don't know where you can see him speak, maybe make contact with Galway SocDems, or O'Tuathail himself and ask?

I haven't met him, but I have been in contact with him, or rather he contacted me to learn about my particular sector within my industry. I put him in contact with a third party who briefed him on that situation.

In an unplanned event I had an opportunity to pose 2 questions to a panel of candidates regarding that industry. O'Tuathail absolutely nailed the topics, much better than another candidate who has in fairness to him been dealing with that for years.

Why does that matter?

Because it tells me that he is intelligent enough to seek out information, receive and understand a (no doubt as I know who gave it) comprehensive briefing, actually listen, retain that information and recall it when needed.

That impressed me. (Actually the person who briefed him was impressed by him in person, but I wasn't there so..)

Others, actually involved in that industry, have received similar briefings and regurgitated either a vacant look or a stock answer unrelated to the question.

Detail is important.

Like you, not a member of any party, but very impressed with Soc Dems. A canvasser of O'Tuathail's called to our door last night, and I was actually taken aback at the level of detail in his answers to my questions. He's getting my Number 1, and if the canvassing is at that level in general, he could do very well, although winning a seat might be a bit too much of a stretch.

snubbleste · 19-02-2016 8:02pm

Late Entry!
https://twitter.com/pfeeney2016

That's 21 in the running.

_Whimsical_ · 21-02-2016 3:05pm

snubbleste wrote: »

Radio1 have a seven-way debate coming up in Galway

When is this going to be ? Or have I missed it but maybe it'll be on podcast?

This is very much an idiots guide to who you might be interested in voting for based on a 3 minute questionaire : http://www.smartvote.ie/. However some of the lesser known canditates have answered questions on all the topics covered that you can read at the end and it's handy to have several very short answers on a wide range of subjects for canditates you'll hear little of.

Baggy Trousers · 21-02-2016 9:22pm

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

O'Thuathail provided some decent answers I thought in it.

Very bright guy from all accounts. Gaining serious traction. Could be well worth an outside bet.

FrPhelimYoung · 22-02-2016 1:35pm

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

This is very much an idiots guide to who you might be interested in voting for based on a 3 minute questionaire : http://www.smartvote.ie/. However some of the lesser known canditates have answered questions on all the topics covered that you can read at the end and it's handy to have several very short answers on a wide range of subjects for canditates you'll hear little of. O'Thuathail provided some decent answers I thought in it.

I've just looked at O'Thuathail's responses......he hasn't actually responded to any of the questions. Any answers applied to his name are referenced as "Niall O'Thuathaill hasn't answered this question yet so we've used their party line". The party or NoT have expressed a preference for certain issues in the site poll which has the site stating "neither the candidate or party have provided their reasoning".

It looks to me that O'Thuathaill hasn't engaged with the smartvote.oe site at all really

_Whimsical_ · 22-02-2016 3:45pm

FrPhelimYoung wrote: »

I've just looked at O'Thuathail's responses......he hasn't actually responded to any of the questions. Any answers applied to his name are referenced as "Niall O'Thuathaill hasn't answered this question yet so we've used their party line". The party or NoT have expressed a preference for certain issues in the site poll which has the site stating "neither the candidate or party have provided their reasoning".

It looks to me that O'Thuathaill hasn't engaged with the smartvote.oe site at all really

You're right, I was mistaken, sorry about that. I read so much yesterday that I got confused, I'll try and find the link I read and fix yesterdays post.

There's a short video of O'Thuathaill here laying out his priorities,but not much detail. I wouldn't be overly enamoured of his idea of an Irish NHS though.
http://www.rte.ie/news/election-2016/candidates/754372-niall-o-tuathail/

All Galway West hopefulls have a one min video here too
http://www.rte.ie/news/election-2016/constituencies/galway-west/

I have to say I'm still not sure myself. On a matter of personal experience I did write to Eamonn O'Cuiv during the summer about the treatment of a disabled person on a program they were both featured on. I was impressed that he replied very quickly with a long and involved email explaining what had happened and where he stood on the issues raised, his response was a good mix of local and national politics. On that basis I'll consider him.

Zzippy · 22-02-2016 4:50pm

_Whimsical_ wrote: »

You're right, I was mistaken, sorry about that. I read so much yesterday that I got confused, I'll try and find the link I read and fix yesterdays post.

There's a short video of O'Thuathaill here laying out his priorities,but not much detail. I wouldn't be overly enamoured of his idea of an Irish NHS though.
http://www.rte.ie/news/election-2016/candidates/754372-niall-o-tuathail/

All Galway West hopefulls have a one min video here too
http://www.rte.ie/news/election-2016/constituencies/galway-west/

I have to say I'm still not sure myself. On a matter of personal experience I did write to Eamonn O'Cuiv during the summer about the treatment of a disabled person on a program they were both featured on. I was impressed that he replied very quickly with a long and involved email explaining what had happened and where he stood on the issues raised, his response was a good mix of local and national politics. On that basis I'll consider him.

I also wrote to all the Galway West sitting TDs about a disability/access to medicines issue. Noel Grealish was the only one who even acknowledged my letter. He followed up with a letter to the minister responsible and copied me with the reply. On that basis I won't be considering any of the other sitting TDs. That's not to say I'll vote for Grealish, but he will probably get a preference ahead of any of the others.

beardybrewer · 22-02-2016 6:43pm

Anahita wrote: »

I'm very new to politics so I have a very possibly stupid question but why is Michaél Martin's poster on the way into my estate in Moycullen when he's not even an option on my election ballot paper....

He's the leader of the party so if Fine Gael get enough TDs elected to form a majority coalition he would likely be nominated as the Taoiseach.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_the_31st_D%C3%A1il
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taoiseach

snubbleste · 22-02-2016 7:14pm

I've not been canvassed once

_Whimsical_ · 22-02-2016 7:39pm

Zzippy wrote: »

I also wrote to all the Galway West sitting TDs about a disability/access to medicines issue. Noel Grealish was the only one who even acknowledged my letter. He followed up with a letter to the minister responsible and copied me with the reply. On that basis I won't be considering any of the other sitting TDs. That's not to say I'll vote for Grealish, but he will probably get a preference ahead of any of the others.

That's disappointing, fair play for writing to all of them. I wrote to others too and got no response,although i didn't try Noel. I wonder if we wrote about the same thing. It's one of those issues I feel really strongly about so it's one thing I've been looking out for in manifestos and interviews,very hard to get exact details however.

saltsun · 22-02-2016 7:51pm

Zzippy wrote: »

I also wrote to all the Galway West sitting TDs about a disability/access to medicines issue. Noel Grealish was the only one who even acknowledged my letter. He followed up with a letter to the minister responsible and copied me with the reply. On that basis I won't be considering any of the other sitting TDs. That's not to say I'll vote for Grealish, but he will probably get a preference ahead of any of the others.

Out of curiosity, did you follow up on your letters? The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

TerrorFirmer · 22-02-2016 8:26pm

Zzippy wrote: »

I also wrote to all the Galway West sitting TDs about a disability/access to medicines issue. Noel Grealish was the only one who even acknowledged my letter. He followed up with a letter to the minister responsible and copied me with the reply. On that basis I won't be considering any of the other sitting TDs. That's not to say I'll vote for Grealish, but he will probably get a preference ahead of any of the others.

To be fair to Noel Grealish, he is an absolute work-horse. A friend of mine was having a dreadful time with a problem a few years back and she went to him, the amount of work he put into her case was unbelievable. I wouldn't give him first preference either but he doesn't have an off switch when it comes to stuff like that. That said, I think he has one of the worst attendance records in the Dail.

spurshero · 22-02-2016 8:30pm

snubbleste wrote: »

I've not been canvassed once

What area u live in snubb

snubbleste · 22-02-2016 8:34pm

spurshero wrote: »

What area u live in snubb

Galway West South Mayo

spurshero · 22-02-2016 8:35pm

snubbleste wrote: »

Galway West South Mayo

Ya but are ya in oranmore Saltill ballinrobe ya know what village or town I mean

Zzippy · 22-02-2016 10:07pm

saltsun wrote: »

Out of curiosity, did you follow up on your letters? The squeaky wheel gets the oil.

No, why should I have to chase public representatives who haven't even got the manners to acknowledge correspondence, never mind act on it. It wasn't a personal issue, it was a policy issue that I felt strongly about. I want TDs who will lobby on national issues, not someone to fix the potholes on my road. When a national issue such as HSE refusal to fund essential medicines for certain conditions comes up, that is something that TDs should be able to do something about. Grealish was the only one who cared about doing something and lobbied the minister to that end. Maybe if I'd complained about potholes Kyne et al might have done something. Their inaction has certainly cost any of them a vote here.

PLL · 22-02-2016 10:09pm

snubbleste wrote: »

I've not been canvassed once

I haven't either. I'm in Galway city. Plenty of literature shoved through but no knock on the door.

elguapo · 23-02-2016 11:59am

PLL wrote: »

I haven't either. I'm in Galway city. Plenty of literature shoved through but no knock on the door.

In contrast, have had plenty canvassers calling to the door in Oranmore.
Mary Hoade, Hildegarde Naughton, Niall O'Tuathail, Catherine Connolly, Fidelma Healy Eames. Just literature from everyone else.

saltsun · 23-02-2016 12:17pm

Zzippy wrote: »

No, why should I

Because presumably you wanted something done about it. As I said, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. If you do not make yourself into a problem and drive the issue, no one else will do it for you.

saltsun · 23-02-2016 12:17pm

snubbleste wrote: »

I've not been canvassed once

Me neither, and I am delighted I haven't had my time wasted listening to crap.

Zzippy · 23-02-2016 12:47pm

saltsun wrote: »

Because presumably you wanted something done about it. As I said, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. If you do not make yourself into a problem and drive the issue, no one else will do it for you.

As it turned out, there were enough representations made from other TDs around the country (incl Noel Grealish) that the change in policy that was looked for happened. Maybe if there had been more resistance to it I would have hassled the TDs further to get a response. If I need to harangue a politician before they will even acknowledge me, that's enough to know I don't want them representing me. As you said, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. The complete silence from the rest of them means they'll get no oil (votes) from me.

snubbleste · 23-02-2016 1:56pm

TG4 constituency poll
https://twitter.com/7LATG4/status/702103356765036546

saltsun · 23-02-2016 2:22pm

Zzippy wrote: »

As it turned out, there were enough representations made from other TDs around the country (incl Noel Grealish) that the change in policy that was looked for happened. Maybe if there had been more resistance to it I would have hassled the TDs further to get a response. If I need to harangue a politician before they will even acknowledge me, that's enough to know I don't want them representing me. As you said, the squeaky wheel gets the oil. The complete silence from the rest of them means they'll get no oil (votes) from me.

That's only useful at election time though. Considering pols are now looking to stretch terms as long as possible regardless of scandals etc. it's my experience one needs to be a constant flea in their ear. One can drive the issues and also remember to forget individuals at election time too.

Zzippy · 23-02-2016 2:37pm

saltsun wrote: »

That's only useful at election time though. Considering pols are now looking to stretch terms as long as possible regardless of scandals etc. it's my experience one needs to be a constant flea in their ear. One can drive the issues and also remember to forget individuals at election time too.

Yes, using my vote is only useful at election time, but it's fairly effective. Politicians should know they owe their continued existence in a well-paid job to actually doing that job i.e. representing their constituents, acknowledging representations, following up. If they can't do their job they won't get a new contract, simple. People are busy and don't have time to be writing letter after letter to someone who has made it obvious by their inaction that they simply don't care.

saltsun · 23-02-2016 2:43pm

Zzippy wrote: »

Yes, using my vote is only useful at election time, but it's fairly effective. Politicians should know they owe their continued existence in a well-paid job to actually doing that job i.e. representing their constituents, acknowledging representations, following up. If they can't do their job they won't get a new contract, simple. People are busy and don't have time to be writing letter after letter to someone who has made it obvious by their inaction that they simply don't care.

Trouble is there is often enough "couldn't be arsed finding out" type voters to keep bums in seats. I've often had to take days out, never mind time writing online & researching, as well as travel. Often times reps need to be educated first, then driven demented. I see it here with a local woman, keep chipping away at them, but gets stuff done, she'd bloody haunt ya.

snubbleste · 23-02-2016 5:21pm

So eh, who is putting these up?
Cb6KCp-W8AEeeaN.jpg:small

snubbleste · 23-02-2016 8:19pm

TG4 poll saying
https://twitter.com/Marion508/status/702212949151244288

It's all down to transfers, we may not have a town TD at all!

saltsun · 23-02-2016 8:26pm

snubbleste wrote: »

TG4 poll saying
Ó Cuív 13%
Kyne 13%
O'Mahony 11%
Ó Clochartaigh 11%
Connolly C 8%
Grealish 7%
Naughton 6%
Nolan 6%
Ó Tuathail 6%
Others 4%
Others 2%

It's all down to transfers, we may not have a town TD at all!

Promising for O'Tuathail if correct, I'd say he'd be fairly transfer friendly?

O'Mahony at 11%??????????????????????????????????????????????

snubbleste · 23-02-2016 8:47pm

saltsun wrote: »

O'Mahony at 11%??????????????????????????????????????????????

I know! What's going on there?
The survey was based on 515 people so it should be fairly representative.
Sampla 515 duine (18+ bliain) a bhí ag an bpobalbhreith seo a rinne an comhlacht Ipsos MRBI do TG4.

General Election 2016 Galway West

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