Catherine Connolly

skelliser · 13-02-2011 2:21am #1

A barrister who i see cycling her bike around town.
Seems principled enough so i cant see her being lured by the trappings of power.

However i dont agree with her being against the bypass and against the airshow.

Our current voting system is **** so the best Galway would do is to get a independent in. At least we might get a few scraps from the table.
Unlike say Crowe or anyone from FG who will just seat on their arses in the backbenches for the next 5 years.

Stick it in the Pan · 13-02-2011 3:02am

skelliser wrote: »

A barrister who i see cycling her bike around town.
Seems principled enough so i cant see her being lured by the trappings of power.

However i dont agree with her being against the bypass and against the airshow.

Our current voting system is **** so the best Galway would do is to get a independent in. At least we might get a few scraps from the table.
Unlike say Crowe or anyone from FG who will just seat on their arses in the backbenches for the next 5 years.

The bypass will cost 300million. There is no money for it. Any candidate who says they support it needs to justify how it will be paid for. Frank Fahey has been on about that bypass for years yet he would rather throw all the money into the banks.

As far as I understand it Connolly isn't against the airshow, just the participation of airforces that are involved in wars in Iraq or Afghanistan.

citycentre · 13-02-2011 11:15am

Anyone who is against the Outer Bypass will definitely not be getting a vote from me, no matter how principled or sound they seem.

As for there being no money for it, all the parties are talking about using whats left in the Pension Reserves to pay for infrastructure and job creation schemes. The outer Bypass is recognized as a piece of essential infrastructure that should and would be one of the first major projects of any stimulus investment programme, creating short term construction jobs and improving the quality of life in Galway which will in turn attract more inward investment.

The money would be found, its just the environ-Mentalists and people like Connolly who have the thing in legal limbo and can't see how the lack of bypass is crippling this city.

No love for Fahey either, he's an opportunist at best and is the wrong person entirely to be the figurehead for those who are in favour of the bypass.

ben.schlomo · 13-02-2011 11:50am

Couldn't vote for her, the only time i ever hear her is when she is whining about something on GBFM or opposing something in media articles, painful.

ilovesleep · 13-02-2011 12:00pm

I think a proper public bus service is needed instead of an outer bypass. A reliable bus service all around galway and county so that it will take cars of the road. Unemployment is going up, emigration is going up, oil and fuel prices going up. People will not be able to keep a car on the road soon.

Stick it in the Pan · 13-02-2011 12:01pm

citycentre wrote: »

Anyone who is against the Outer Bypass will definitely not be getting a vote from me, no matter how principled or sound they seem.

As for there being no money for it, all the parties are talking about using whats left in the Pension Reserves to pay for infrastructure and job creation schemes. The outer Bypass is recognized as a piece of essential infrastructure that should and would be one of the first major projects of any stimulus investment programme, creating short term construction jobs and improving the quality of life in Galway which will in turn attract more inward investment.

The money would be found, its just the environ-Mentalists and people like Connolly who have the thing in legal limbo and can't see how the lack of bypass is crippling this city.

No love for Fahey either, he's an opportunist at best and is the wrong person entirely to be the figurehead for those who are in favour of the bypass.

Anyone who says they are in favour of the bypass is being completely misleading. There is no money and it won't get built no matter who is elected. At least Catherine is honest about it.

And no all the parties are not talking about using the pension reserve fund as a stimulus. In fact none of them are.

TristanPeter · 13-02-2011 12:05pm

I had dealings with Connolly a few years ago. I actually think she's psychotic. One time I phoned her to discuss an issue and all of a sudden she started screaming down the phone, ranting and raving. Totally out of the blue and completely uncalled for. She went it some kind of hyper-defensive mode. Couldn't get a word in edge-ways. I wouldn't pi** on her if she was on fire let alone vote for her.

galwayrush · 13-02-2011 12:17pm

ilovesleep wrote: »

I think a proper public bus service is needed instead of an outer bypass. A reliable bus service all around galway and county so that it will take cars of the road. Unemployment is going up, emigration is going up, oil and fuel prices going up. People will not be able to keep a car on the road soon.

I live 10 miles out, i don't ever see a bus service that will bring me to town the amount of times i need to for work alone. Better bus service would be fantastic, but we also need the bypass to help unclog the narrow roads closer to the city centre.

ben.schlomo · 13-02-2011 12:18pm

Stick it in the Pan wrote: »

Anyone who says they are in favour of the bypass is being completely misleading. There is no money and it won't get built no matter who is elected. At least Catherine is honest about it.

And no all the parties are not talking about using the pension reserve fund as a stimulus. In fact none of them are.

Sinn Fein are i believe.

citycentre · 13-02-2011 12:19pm

Stick it in the Pan wrote: »

And no all the parties are not talking about using the pension reserve fund as a stimulus. In fact none of them are.

Representatives of Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Fein have all mentioned this option over the past few weeks. That's all the parties that I see as being remotely worth voting for. Most economic commentators agree that it's a tried and tested approach for economic stimulus. The argument that there is no money so nothing can happen is patently wrong. The only question is over how the money is used, i.e. whether we keep throwing good after bad in propping up the broken financial system or whether we actually start to invest in our future.

Fuinseog · 13-02-2011 1:07pm

skelliser wrote: »

A barrister who i see cycling her bike around town.
Seems principled enough so i cant see her being lured by the trappings of power.

However i dont agree with her being against the bypass and against the airshow.

Our current voting system is **** so the best Galway would do is to get a independent in. At least we might get a few scraps from the table.
Unlike say Crowe or anyone from FG who will just seat on their arses in the backbenches for the next 5 years.

she is an agitator. she would not be to Galway's benefit.

po0k · 13-02-2011 1:10pm

TristanPeter wrote: »

I had dealings with Connolly a few years ago. I actually think she's psychotic. One time I phoned her to discuss an issue and all of a sudden she started screaming down the phone, ranting and raving. Totally out of the blue and completely uncalled for. She went it some kind of hyper-defensive mode. Couldn't get a word in edge-ways. I wouldn't pi** on her if she was on fire let alone vote for her.

Objective: you phoned her to 'discuss an issue' (details?) => she responded (in kind?) => you got frustrated => you claim she is psychotic and insult her on the internet.

Subjective: You rang her up to discuss an issue (whinge), she threw a wobbler, you hold a grudge.

Disclosure: I neither know who Catherine Connolly or TristanPeter are. Nor do I care.

Fuinseog · 13-02-2011 1:11pm

TristanPeter wrote: »

I had dealings with Connolly a few years ago. I actually think she's psychotic. One time I phoned her to discuss an issue and all of a sudden she started screaming down the phone, ranting and raving. Totally out of the blue and completely uncalled for. She went it some kind of hyper-defensive mode. Couldn't get a word in edge-ways. I wouldn't pi** on her if she was on fire let alone vote for her.

yup, sounds like her alright. she would be more suited to having an active role in a violent demonstration than representing Galway.
i wonder was she against the sewage treatment plant?

po0k · 13-02-2011 1:13pm

citycentre wrote: »

invest in our future.

Is that not what the pension fund is in the first place?
Why not spend our heavy tax burden/revenue more creatively and effectively instead?

Stick it in the Pan · 13-02-2011 1:30pm

citycentre wrote: »

Representatives of Fine Gael, Labour and Sinn Fein have all mentioned this option over the past few weeks. That's all the parties that I see as being remotely worth voting for. Most economic commentators agree that it's a tried and tested approach for economic stimulus. The argument that there is no money so nothing can happen is patently wrong. The only question is over how the money is used, i.e. whether we keep throwing good after bad in propping up the broken financial system or whether we actually start to invest in our future.

No they haven't

Provide a link or stop spouting nonsense. We have a current budeget deficit of 19billion and a debt of god knows how much. Yet you believe there's 300million for a road in Galway that isn't needed?

snubbleste · 13-02-2011 1:31pm

I'm a Catherine Connolly fan.
She has principles and objectives and stands up to the challenge.

anyway, should'nt all these snas be merged into the galway west general election thread?

citycentre · 13-02-2011 1:42pm

Stick it in the Pan wrote: »

... a road in Galway that isn't needed?

You have the cheek to accuse me of spouting nonsense? Lets hear your solutions for Galway and the Connemara regions transport problems. Have you a link?

On topic - Connolly can come across a bit firebrand and clearly has very strong opinions that she has no fear of expressing. A bit of that wouldn't go amiss among our representatives in government. Unfortunately I just don't agree with some of her strongly held views so I won't be voting for her.

KylieWyley · 13-02-2011 1:48pm

Stick it in the Pan wrote: »

Yet you believe there's 300million for a road in Galway that isn't needed?

It is needed. But the budget most certainly is not there for it.

Stick it in the Pan · 13-02-2011 1:50pm

citycentre wrote: »

You have the cheek to accuse me of spouting nonsense? Lets hear your solutions for Galway and the Connemara regions transport problems. Have you a link?

You're the one saying that there is hundreds of millions available for a road. I'm saying there is not. Any candidate who says they support the bypass may aswell say they are in favour of free Sky TV for everyone in Galway. It's not going to happen. I'd prefer candidates to be honest about this instead of telling fibs to poor suckers like you. Not a single new road will be built in Galway for the next 10 years. Fine gael would prefer to bleed Ireland dry to pay off German banks then invest in infrastructure.

citycentre · 13-02-2011 1:57pm

Stick it in the Pan wrote: »

Not a single new road will be built in Galway for the next 10 years.

Tell that to the contractors for the M18/M17

http://www.galwaynews.ie/17509-funding-still-place-m17

And I'd appreciate your not descending to schoolyard taunts. I'm no "poor sucker". I happen to believe that as soon as the legal challenges are thrown out and the redesign of the western section of the bypass (which is continuing apace) is completed, funding will be forthcoming and the scheme will happen. You clearly disagree. Lets leave it at that.

And anyway the issue is not about the funding. Its about candidates who for whatever reason, like yourself, believe that the road is not necessary and that we can magically solve Galways transport issues with a few more buses and a tram line. Theres no immediate funding for any of those ideas either so the argument over cost is irrelevant.

Stick it in the Pan · 13-02-2011 2:00pm

citycentre wrote: »

Tell that to the contractors for the M18/M17

http://www.galwaynews.ie/17509-funding-still-place-m17

If there has been money already set aside for it then maybe. But no new funds will be allocated for public projects. Certainly not under Fine Gael. Fine Gael don't believe in investing in the economy, only balancing the books.

Canvasser · 13-02-2011 2:14pm

Connolly is a loony. Keep the commys out.

inisboffin · 13-02-2011 2:25pm

There are worse symbols I can think of to put a line through during this time, than a hammer and sicle;)

emptybladder · 13-02-2011 3:57pm

I lost all respect for her when she told mike crowe to take his tablets at a council meeting. Im not being overly sensitive, but as somebody affected by depression, I found it offensive and uncalled for.

Fuinseog · 13-02-2011 4:05pm

snubbleste wrote: »

I'm a Catherine Connolly fan.
She has principles and objectives and stands up to the challenge.
?

which is fine, but there is a way to talk to people and she has not got it.

snubbleste · 13-02-2011 4:12pm

Fuinseog wrote: »

which is fine, but there is a way to talk to people and she has not got it.

Well I disagree. She gave a rousing speech recently (sound isn't the best)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZbDzBPK9yo

galwayrush · 13-02-2011 4:17pm

Stick it in the Pan wrote: »

No they haven't

Provide a link or stop spouting nonsense. We have a current budeget deficit of 19billion and a debt of god knows how much. Yet you believe there's 300million for a road in Galway that isn't needed?

It's not a hugh amount of money considering what will be spent on some infrastructure projects in the next few years, and it is most definitely needed.

edit, ever consider how much of the cost will give a return to the exchequer through construction jobs and materials.
Not to mention taking thousands of vehicles off the city streets, reducing travel times and pollution, freeing up our narrow roads for more busses.

Fuinseog · 13-02-2011 4:37pm

snubbleste wrote: »

Well I disagree. She gave a rousing speech recently (sound isn't the best)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zZbDzBPK9yo

an interesting clip, but how does she get on in a debate when people actually disagree with her? the problem is that people are saying that she loses the head and becomes personally insulting.

she does not stand a chance of winning floating voters.

Stick it in the Pan · 13-02-2011 4:39pm

galwayrush wrote: »

It's not a hugh amount of money considering what will be spent on some infrastructure projects in the next few years, and it is most definitely needed.

edit, ever consider how much of the cost will give a return to the exchequer through construction jobs and materials.
Not to mention taking thousands of vehicles off the city streets, reducing travel times and pollution, freeing up our narrow roads for more busses.

Where's the money going to come from?

snubbleste · 13-02-2011 4:46pm

Fuinseog wrote: »

an interesting clip, but how does she get on in a debate when people actually disagree with her? the problem is that people are saying that she loses the head and becomes personally insulting.
she does not stand a chance of winning floating voters.

I disagree again. If you look for links in that clip, you'll the follow-on debate. anyway we'll see come February 26th whether she "does not stand a chance of winning floating voters".

galwayrush · 13-02-2011 4:50pm

Stick it in the Pan wrote: »

Where's the money going to come from?

There will be money available for important infrastructure, (better to put borrowed money to good use rather than wasting it all on zombie banks, a different matter entirely) It'simportant we have people who will fight for whatever is available. Many road projects are going ahead and this is a vitally important one.
Perhaps it's true to say we can't afford any roadbuilding, but if we don't fight for a share, money that will be made available will be spent in other areas of the country.

Placebo Effect · 13-02-2011 6:32pm

When Manuela was murdered, Connolly was very vocal in expressing the railway line walk should be closed, a very old an invaluable path from the East to the City Centre, she's not from that side of town & shut up about it fairly quick for some reason.

Pure opportunist looking to cash in on a poor girl's untimely death.

nuac · 13-02-2011 7:23pm

She makes a living representing people in a very competitive profession ( barrister ). She would be well able to represent the interests of GW

Steyr · 13-02-2011 7:39pm

Did you see her posters?? "For The Common Good" :pac: :pac: :pac: :pac:

galwayrush · 13-02-2011 7:42pm

Steyr wrote: »

Did you see her posters?? "For The Common Good" :pac: :pac: :pac: :pac:

There would not be a poster big enough for all she is against.:D

EuskalHerria · 13-02-2011 8:52pm

Fuinseog wrote: »

she is an agitator. she would not be to Galway's benefit.

For me this translates over to "We don't want anyone that could possibly rock the boat"

dloob · 13-02-2011 9:05pm

Sure it doesn't matter if she wins or not, I'm sure she'll go up to the Dail anyway and demand to be let in.
Cllr Connolly has never been one to accept losing a vote very well.
Remember when she lost the vote on changing the start time of the council meetings, she shouted and banged the table until the meeting had to be abandoned.

I think she followed up again a few months later over some other vote that didn't go her way.

ballybangirl · 13-02-2011 10:15pm

ilovesleep wrote: »

I think a proper public bus service is needed instead of an outer bypass. A reliable bus service all around galway and county so that it will take cars of the road. Unemployment is going up, emigration is going up, oil and fuel prices going up. People will not be able to keep a car on the road soon.

i agree with you on the bus service its very bad at times they need to take the bus more to see what we have to go through every day

Fuinseog · 13-02-2011 10:45pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

For me this translates over to "We don't want anyone that could possibly rock the boat"

no, it means she is completely unable to accept someone elses viewpoint. a politician needs to be diplomatic.

Mrs OBumble · 13-02-2011 11:34pm

galwayrush wrote: »

we also need the bypass to help unclog the narrow roads closer to the city centre.

I just cannot see how a an outer bypass will remove cars from the city centre. The cars that will use it are already using the "Eastern Distributor Rd".

galwayrush · 13-02-2011 11:49pm

JustMary wrote: »

I just cannot see how a an outer bypass will remove cars from the city centre. The cars that will use it are already using the "Eastern Distributor Rd".

Lots of traffic crossing the city will not have to travel through the narrow corridor that exits between the existing bridges across the corrib. Anyone from the west side of the city as well as anyone from the Conemara direction will be diverted away from those clogged city arteries.

grainnereills · 14-02-2011 11:25am

nutter...

who if, my brother is anything to go by, lost the votes of generations of bish boys when she voted against the school moving to dangan!

Sponge Bob · 14-02-2011 11:44am

Nobody in the Bish asked the University who owned the land whether they minded. Connolly ( she was mayor) voted not to pull a stroke on the University. Quite the right thing to do. It could have exposed the council to serious consequences.

You may read the sequence of deliberations here. It was entirely the fault of the Bish for trying to pull a fast one

grainnereills · 14-02-2011 11:47am

that may be the case...but it was an unprecedented opportunity for the bish...she ****ed it up!

also, i heard last week one of the teachers in the school was telling the leaving certs eligible to vote not to vote for her because of that move...

looooooong memories in nuns island.

ps she gives harpies a bad name!

Sponge Bob · 14-02-2011 11:54am

That school has/had a number of well known Galway FFers working in it including an MEP and including a known associate of Frank Fahey.

Was the teacher perhaps one of the FFers in question and did they declare an interest ??

I am not a fan of CC as anyone around here will tell you but she did nothing wrong in voting against a shameless landgrab of NUIG grounds. The Bish never even approached the College to buy the land but tried to rezone it anyway.

Read that link and tell me what CC allegedly did wrong on the night, from what I know she acted entirely properly.

dolphin city · 14-02-2011 12:17pm

Great respect for this lady. She's not afraid of the "little boy's club" and is well able to get her points across - the little boys don't like her up there - they are of the mind that "women should be seen and not heard".

Long may she be a thorn in their side.

She's great.

PopeBuckfastXVI · 14-02-2011 12:19pm

dolphin city wrote: »

Great respect for this lady. She's not afraid of the "little boy's club" and is well able to get her points across - the little boys don't like her up there - they are of the mind that "women should be seen and not heard".

Long may she be a thorn in their side. She's great.

What club is that now?

dolphin city · 14-02-2011 12:32pm

PopeBuckfastXVI wrote: »

What club is that now?

the little boys club- have you seen them in action - wouldn't see it in a primary school.

PopeBuckfastXVI · 14-02-2011 1:03pm

dolphin city wrote: »

the little boys club- have you seen them in action - wouldn't see it in a primary school.

No, I'd never even heard of it before your post. Who's in it?

nuac · 14-02-2011 1:05pm

If. as claimed here, the Bish were trying to grab some of the NUIGland, CC was right to oppose them.

NUIG and it's land is there for the benefit of the entire region, not just urban Galway.

There are many past pupils of the Bish able to help them in acquiring a new site.

dolphin city · 14-02-2011 2:25pm

PopeBuckfastXVI wrote: »

No, I'd never even heard of it before your post. Who's in it?

pope - your'e quite intelligent - Im sure you know who the "little boys" are and why C Connolly is constantly having to moniter them. She does an excellent job.

Catherine Connolly

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