Local elections 2014

finisklin

The FFers have selected their local elections candidates for the Ballina electoral area over the weekend. They are sitting councillors Annie Mai Reape, Jimmy Maloney and Johnnie O’Malley, along with Michael Loftus from Crossmolina, Michael Smith from Swinford and Eamon Moore from Killala.

FG dream team to be decided and to include sitting concillors Seamus Weir, Ja Munnelly, John O'Hara and Eddie Staunton. Joe Mellett is in this amended electoral area as well.

It is interesting to note that the strength of FG lies in the South and East of the county and this hindered FG in the north of the county. It was assumed that MM or Ja Munnelly would secure the chairmanship of the county council in 2009 to provide a base for the general election in 2011. This never materialised and what would have been interesting is MM appointment as Chairman given that there has ony been one female chair in the past.

Nevertheless she did secure a seat agin the odds. Will Winters, Egan and McLoughlin throw there hats in to the ring?

What are the issues that the candidates will be facing?

For me;

1. N26 Upgrade
2. Employment
3. Infrastructure - roads, lighting, hedge rows
4. Policing
5. Managing cutbacks across a number of areas - education, health etc.
6. Accountability

I reckon SF will run at least 2 candidates if not 3. Not sure if there will be a Ballina based one or not?


There will be a number of independents given that the TC has 3-4 namely Cllrs Ginty, Clarke & Kelly. A big ask for them to secure enough votes.



Some heavy hitters (& hitting ) in there to take the 6 seats and there will be some dented egos for the losers.


Who will they be and what are the key issues?


Time will tell......

finisklin

Perhaps the schism in Mayo FG is reflected by the defence of Pee Flynn's mass reading by Mulherin. This relates to Pee reading scripture at mass - fighting the good fight - after being found taking 50k of FF cash by the Mahon tribunal.

I wonder what Inda, Mickey and Johnno make of this treason?

yop

finisklin wrote: »

Perhaps the schism in Mayo FG is reflected by the defence of Pee Flynn's mass reading by Mulherin. This relates to Pee reading scripture at mass - fighting the good fight - after being found taking 50k of FF cash by the Mahon tribunal.

I wonder what Inda, Mickey and Johnno reckons of this treason?

Well she knows that FG are fubar in the elections so she is trying to side with Pee on this and hope that some some FF's will go to her side maybe???
Hardly surprised, they are all snakes.

nuac

Michellle is probably supporting P Flynn on right wing Catholic religious grounds

finisklin

Any word on who the SF candidates are? The selection convention was on this afternoon.

finisklin

Looks like there was a few casualties at the FG selection convention in Castlebar yesterday. Inda's right hand man didn't make it - Ger Deere. Padraic Corcoran saw the writing on the wall and withdrew. Priceless.

Some fairly bruised egos there!

yop

finisklin wrote: »

Looks like there was a few casualties at the FG selection convention in Castlebar yesterday. Inda's right hand man didn't make it - Ger Deere. Padraic Corcoran saw the writing on the wall and withdrew. Priceless.

Some fairly bruised egos there!

Wow, GD will be well peed off as will Enda! Corcoran was more a "blow in" though?

finisklin

Corcoran is not quite a blow in - Lahardane, but not from Castlebar.

The 4 sitting councillors were automatic choices. The last spot was always going to be hard filled. 3 into 1 doesn't go. Corcoran knew this.

I'm sure Inda will find some other way of accomodating Ger's ambitions. Perhaps a senate spot after the next GE?

yop

finisklin wrote: »

Corcoran is not quite a blow in - Lahardane, but not from Castlebar.

The 4 sitting councillors were automatic choices. The last spot was always going to be hard filled. 3 into 1 doesn't go. Corcoran knew this.

I'm sure Inda will find some other way of accomodating Ger's ambitions. Perhaps a senate spot after the next GE?

Ah Lahardane is a blow in, anything outside Turlough/Breaffy is a blow in.

I am sure he will fitted. Typical!

Dudda

finisklin wrote: »

Corcoran is not quite a blow in - Lahardane, but not from Castlebar.

The 4 sitting councillors were automatic choices. The last spot was always going to be hard filled. 3 into 1 doesn't go. Corcoran knew this.

I'm sure Inda will find some other way of accomodating Ger's ambitions. Perhaps a senate spot after the next GE?

Sorry... so who got the last position?

finisklin

Dudda wrote: »

Sorry... so who got the last position?

Brendan Heneghan....

mayo.mick

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Gerry Murray to contest the Claremorris area, Cllr. Rose Conway-Walsh to contest the West Mayo area, Cllr. Thérése Ruane to contest the Castlebar Area and John Sheehan to contest the Ballina area.

nuac

Ger Deere has been a hardworking councillor.

Hope he gets on the ticket.

Delegates might have voted for others on the grounds that Enda will look after him

finisklin

FG to select West Mayo candidates in Westport this afternoon (Sunday)




Fine Gael candidates for the West Mayo electoral area of Mayo County Council will be chosen at a convention in Westport today(Sunday).


West Mayo is a new municipal district and takes in most of the old electoral areas of Belmullet and Westport.


There are seven seats to be filled in West Mayo in the 2014 local elections, and competition is likely to be intense.


Among the sitting Fine Gael candidates going forward for nomination to the party ticket tomorrow are Cllrs Teresa McGuire, Gerry Coyle, Christy Hyland, Austin Francis O’Malley and current cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Johnno O’Malley.


Cllr Ollie Gannon told Midwest Radio this weekend that following 15 years representing the party, he would not be seeking a nomination. He said the size of the West Mayo meant he would be unable to contest it effectively and balance work commitments.


In recent weeks, Fine Gael Cllrs Myles Staunton, Peter Flynn and Michael McLaughlin have also announced they would not be running in 2014.
Indications so far are that 5 Fine Gael candidates will be put on the ticket for the West Mayo area.


Galway West TD Sean Kyne will chair today's convention, which takes place at the Knockranny Hotel in Westport from 3.30pm.

The Buster

Any word who got the West mayo nomination. I think Teresa McGuire and christy Hyland was the only decision to be made

finisklin

Three sitting councillors were selected Austen Francis O’Malley, the present Cathaoirleach of MCC – Johno O’Malley and Gerry Coyle.They’ll be joined on the ballot paper by Achill based Breege Grealis and Westport town councillor Teresa McGuire.

nuac

Strong team. but it is a huge area for those who are elected to serve.

Sorry that Westport Town Council is being abolished.

It was very effective imho in working with others to develope Westport as an industrial and tourist centre - a lot of jobs there for people from all over the area.

Doubt if the County COuncllors will be able to focus on the town's development in the same effective way

finisklin

nuac wrote: »

Doubt if the County COuncllors will be able to focus on the town's development in the same effective way

Same for Castlebar and Ballina.

What happens the mayoralty, is that abolished?

Who gets to the wear the chains in the new system?

nuac

finisklin wrote: »

Same for Castlebar and Ballina.

What happens the mayoralty, is that abolished?

Who gets to the wear the chains in the new system?

Don't know.

town councils did good work in all their towns.

"Area municipal councils" or what ever will not be an adequate replacement

Castlebar12

I am not sure about this new system. Obviously the bigger towns Castlebar/Ballina will be paying the biggest money towards the county budget but how much of that will stay in he towns? Will our towns have less money than before? Spending money on footpaths and lights out in Ballintubber.
I hope Castlebar keeps its Mayor. I think it is important to have a town representative. It would be like abolishing the president.

StewartGriffin

Castlebar12 wrote: »

I hope Castlebar keeps its Mayor. I think it is important to have a town representative. It would be like abolishing the president.

Not Really. The Mayor is normally selected by the sitting town Councillors, usually along party lines. Hardly a selection process for a President. If towns want a real Mayor they should run a proper vote from the town electorate.

finisklin

The FG team for the Ballina municipal area is now confirmed. Munnelly, O'Hara Cruise and Staunton secured the 4 spots.

Joe Mellett got the bullet and that is a major blow to his ego. Seamus Weir saw the writing on the wall and pulled the rip cord and is going to parachute in as a independent candidate.

Winters didn't make it which was surprising given that there are no native Ballina people in the line up.

Given the priorities in the town (N26 development, salmon centre, Mary Robinson centre, monasteries of the moy, sports development and the further develoment of the JCC etc.) it's disappointing that FG don't have a townie on board. This may be to FFs political advantage. Time will tell.

I thought they would have run 5 candidates all the same.

Anybody at the convention? How do Joe Mellett take this democratic decision?

nuac

finisklin wrote: »

Perhaps the schism in Mayo FG is reflected by the defence of Pee Flynn's mass reading by Mulherin. This relates to Pee reading scripture at mass - fighting the good fight - after being found taking 50k of FF cash by the Mahon tribunal.

I wonder what Inda, Mickey and Johnno make of this treason?[/QUOTE]

How is Flynn taking the €50K for himself = treason?

nuac

finisklin wrote: »

The FG team for the Ballina municipal area is now confirmed. Munnelly, O'Hara Cruise and Staunton secured the 4 spots.

Joe Mellett got the bullet and that is a major blow to his ego. Seamus Weir saw the writing on the wall and pulled the rip cord and is going to parachute in as a independent candidate.

Winters didn't make it which was surprising given that there are no native Ballina people in the line up.

Given the priorities in the town (N26 development, salmon centre, Mary Robinson centre, monasteries of the moy, sports development and the further develoment of the JCC etc.) it's disappointing that FG don't have a townie on board. This may be to FFs political advantage. Time will tell.

I thought they would have run 5 candidates all the same.

Anybody at the convention? How do Joe Mellett take this democratic decision?

Joe Mellette was a longtime and hard working councillor. Surprised that an important town such as Swinford has nobody standing for FG. They may rue this as Michael Smyth went close the last time and now has a clear run

Also surprised that there are no FG Ballina town candidates.

It shows the idiocy of Hogans abolishment of Town Councils. The three TCs in Mayo did good work. There is a difference in urban and rural needs. Anyone sitting in a Town Council debate and comparing with a County Counil debate would realise the difference.

finisklin

nuac wrote: »

finisklin wrote: »

Perhaps the schism in Mayo FG is reflected by the defence of Pee Flynn's mass reading by Mulherin. This relates to Pee reading scripture at mass - fighting the good fight - after being found taking 50k of FF cash by the Mahon tribunal.

I wonder what Inda, Mickey and Johnno make of this treason?[/QUOTE]

How is Flynn taking the €50K for himself = treason?

I never said Flynn's cash grab was treason.....I was referring to Mulherin's support of Pee being devout. This was in effect two fingers to her FG colleagues who had to put up with Pee being Mayo's top dog in the earlier part of their careers.

It is rare to see a FGer praise or support a FFers in post bailout Ireland.

This alas is the game of politics as Mulherin knows her days are numbered and that Inda and Ringer have done her no favours.

naughto

what of the Independents?

Copyerselveson

Cllr Mellett's support for the campaigners who want to rip up the Collooney-Athenry railway line and replace it with a cycle path may not have helped his cause.

finisklin

Copyerselveson wrote: »

Cllr Mellett's support for the campaigners who want to rip up the Collooney-Athenry railway line and replace it with a cycle path may not have helped his cause.

Which is the polar opposite to his local colleague on the council, SFs Gerry Murray. I'm sure the latter will be sad to see his erstwhile political colleague depart into the good night.

Castlebar12

Id love to get a good flush out of the council this time. Get rid of some of the old backward do nothings like frank durcan and michael kilcoyne, all they do is complain. Like to see some positive youth attitude who actually care and with the right ideas like Lisa Chambers. I think Harry Barret is very good as well

ethical

Any truth in the rumour that a West of Ireland politician is sitting on the fence regarding the pylons issue due to the fact that a family member has got a nice fat job with Eirgrid?

naughto

Castlebar12 wrote: »

Id love to get a good flush out of the council this time. Get rid of some of the old backward do nothings like frank durcan and michael kilcoyne, all they do is complain. Like to see some positive youth attitude who actually care and with the right ideas like Lisa Chambers. I think Harry Barret is very good as well

you want lisa chambers over michael kilcoyne will you get away out of that.I dont think she will get in this time either and if she does it ill be very close

naughto

ethical wrote: »

Any truth in the rumour that a West of Ireland politician is sitting on the fence regarding the pylons issue due to the fact that a family member has got a nice fat job with Eirgrid?

do tell?

yop

ethical wrote: »

Any truth in the rumour that a West of Ireland politician is sitting on the fence regarding the pylons issue due to the fact that a family member has got a nice fat job with Eirgrid?

Mod Note: Link to it otherwise don't continue it. We don't do rumours.

Castlebar12

naughto wrote: »

you want lisa chambers over michael kilcoyne will you get away out of that.I dont think she will get in this time either and if she does it ill be very close

Michael Kilcoyne does is come out every now and then and say "some source told me the hospital is being downgraded/The a&e is being made day only" and sell stories to the daily mail. Nothing positive or forward thinking, useless. Only thing about Chambers is FF

nuac

Castlebar12 wrote: »

Michael Kilcoyne does is come out every now and then and say "some source told me the hospital is being downgraded/The a&e is being made day only" and sell stories to the daily mail. Nothing positive or forward thinking, useless. Only thing about Chambers is FF

Are you claiming that Kilcoyne is a journalist?

Chambers is an intelligent young lady and imho has the potential to go further

finisklin

FG will have to run a candidate in the Ballina town area. They haven't ruled out running a 5 candidate for the electoral area. Who will it be?

Green&Red

Think its a given it'll be winters?

finisklin

Yeah head office parachuted in Winters and Mellett......kind unusual that they even had a selection convention in the first instance for this. Pretty much everyone got on the ticket bar Seamus Weir who decided to go independent.

Interesting that Ger Deere didn't get a parachute for the Castlebar area. That means they are running 5 candidates in Castlebar and 6 in Ballina.

More here.

naughto

I bet he is pissed off with that,with him being Mr Kenny bff.

Castlebar12

Whats the numbers in castlebar now?
Sinn Féin - 1
Fianna Fáil - 3
Fine Gael - ?
Labour - ?

Coillte123

AMAZINGLY it has been confirmed by FF HQ apparently that there will not be a convention for Castlebar. Lisa, Blackie and Al given places on the ticket and Kiltimagh candidate shunned it seems. Some OMOV and democracy alive and well. Can they afford not to run someone in Kiltimagh area? Looks like FG and Eugene Lavin will be happy with that strategy !

finisklin

It appers remiss of FF if they don't run a sweeper. Probably waiting or stalking a appropriate candidate to parachute in that meets the criteria of the new soliders of destiny.

Any word on independents announcing their candidacy?

Is Frank Durcan running agin?

whitey1

Castlebar12 wrote: »

Id love to get a good flush out of the council this time. Get rid of some of the old backward do nothings like frank durcan and michael kilcoyne, all they do is complain. Like to see some positive youth attitude who actually care and with the right ideas like Lisa Chambers. I think Harry Barret is very good as well

Do nothing's like Frank Durcan??????


Do you have any idea of the amount of taxpayers money has been squandered over the years, and no-one held to account. Sweetheart deals to connected developers, council property being sold at below market rate to other connected individuals. Do you remember the time they instead of building a new library, they wanted to lease a building (at higher cost) from a local business man.

If he wasn't prowling around like a Doberman, I can only imagine what else would have gone down.

Castlebar12

finisklin wrote: »

It appers remiss of FF if they don't run a sweeper. Probably waiting or stalking a appropriate candidate to parachute in that meets the criteria of the new soliders of destiny.

Any word on independents announcing their candidacy?

Is Frank Durcan running agin?

hopefully not?!

naughto

I'd say he will.Kilcoyne is def running again

Coillte_Bhoy

Coillte123 wrote: »

AMAZINGLY it has been confirmed by FF HQ apparently that there will not be a convention for Castlebar. Lisa, Blackie and Al given places on the ticket and Kiltimagh candidate shunned it seems. Some OMOV and democracy alive and well. Can they afford not to run someone in Kiltimagh area? Looks like FG and Eugene Lavin will be happy with that strategy !

What Kiltimagh candidate? Also what does OMOV mean?

yop

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

What Kiltimagh candidate? Also what does OMOV mean?

One Member One Vote.

ethical

Are you not just sick of it! Its happens so often and its now happened again!! Michael Kilcoyne 'found out' that Health Minister Reilly is considering closing Mayo General Maternity Unit.............................and John O'Mahony has jumped on the bandwagon and is on the local Mayo station,Mid West Radio.(in which he has a 'free pass' to pontificate on all matters ).O'Mahony does this sort of thing on a regular basis,jumping on the bandwagon when another deputy has done the hard work..................the local public must be shockingly thick and ignorant if they do not see through O'Mahony at this stage.He has done this sort of thing now for many years and only for a sporting organisation elected him in the first place he would not have been inflicted on the general public.

yop

ethical wrote: »

Are you not just sick of it! Its happens so often and its now happened again!! Michael Kilcoyne 'found out' that Health Minister Reilly is considering closing Mayo General Maternity Unit.............................and John O'Mahony has jumped on the bandwagon and is on the local Mayo station,Mid West Radio.(in which he has a 'free pass' to pontificate on all matters ).O'Mahony does this sort of thing on a regular basis,jumping on the bandwagon when another deputy has done the hard work..................the local public must be shockingly thick and ignorant if they do not see through O'Mahony at this stage.He has done this sort of thing now for many years and only for a sporting organisation elected him in the first place he would not have been inflicted on the general public.

I not a follower or either Kilcoyne nor JOM, but MK just found out, has he produced a source for this.
You know what politicians are like, they will say anything to paint themselves in a good picture.
I don't trust ANY of them and MK could be stirring.

naughto

Dident they release a statement in the Connaught saying that it was just a review of the maturity ward,meaning they where trying to close it untilsome one found out about

yop

naughto wrote: »

Dident they release a statement in the Connaught saying that it was just a review of the maturity ward,meaning they where trying to close it untilsome one found out about

I don't know to be honest, when I saw it on here last night I had a look online to see what MadWest had and I saw it been part of a story that Ring said it wasnt going to happen under their "rule", but didn't say it would NEVER happen.
So maybe there is substance to it, I just dont trust any of them, local elections coming up, they are all trying to be our saviors.