GE2020 *Mod Note in First Post*

No way would I vote FF/FG self serving parasites the lot of them. I will give my vote to the independents when the time comes not much choice in the list above.
I hope little Timmy will be thought a lesson for his major part in dishonest voting .

I would be more interested in what any/all these candidates have to say (personally) about the various issues facing us.
It appears to me that 'toe the party line' is the order of the day, regardless you think it right or wrong.

This might be the first year I decide not to vote at all! (because I do not believe any of them, individually, will make any real contribution to the country if they get elected)

Clareman wrote: »

Always vote, even if you don't know who to vote for always exercise your right to vote, spoil your vote if you must but don't underestimate the value in a vote or the value in having such a great voting mechanism as we have in promotional representation.

Oh yeah, rank your votes from least favourite to number 1,PR works best when you cast your preferences for everyone not just first couple of choices.

TBH, I see no reason to vote if my intention is to deliberately spoil it.

I have no preferences at all ... regarding them all as equally unsuited to contribute to putting this country on a sound footing.

Hopefully I will hear/read/meet something or someone that will change my mind - but I doubt it unfortunately.

Clareman wrote: »

Apathy is an awful thing and I can see why people wouldn't want to give up their time to go do something they don't have an interest in, but there HAS to be someone or some party that strikes a cord, they mightn't win, they mightn't get another vote but we're a democrary and that shouldn't be taken for granted.

Oh yeah, the count is always a great event/session

Not sure if you considered my posts an indication of apathy .....

I am anything but apathetic as I have a great interest in seeing this country improve and have made all efforts I could over the decades to that end.

My present attitude is more one of despair which I could not feel if I was apathetic.

I too see the usual suspects getting in; fourth seat will be possibly McNamara. Overall, it looks (at the moment) like FF will form the next government, with maybe the Greens in tow.

The whole poster thing gets on my nerves. Let's have one spot in every village and town for them, one poster per candidate. And a Speaker's Corner? Hmmm. Anyway, some people haven't got the big boys' money for blanket propaganda!

PS isn't there a Michael Leahy (Irish Freedom Party) standing? And now Violet-Anne Wynne for Sinn Fein.

Marty Xavier wrote: »

I think Carey will struggle as he did the last time and only got in when Mulqueen publicly backed him. I forecast Dooley, Breen, McNamara and Garvey might just squeeze in ahead of Carey.
Green's are going to have a good day I think considering the recent Euro elections and with Australia burning people are begining to wake up to climate change.

FF/Green coalition? People have very short memories!

we all slag the British voters for voting Conservative and for Brexit ...

and we bring back to power the same crowd who had to hand over the reigns to the IMF a decade ago

I'll be spoiling my vote unfortunately. I can't/don't trust any of them. Don't understand this blind party loyalty that some people have either, they shafted you before, they'll probably do so again so why give them your vote. If you vote for FF or fine Gael, IMO you are part of a bigger problem. The type who will give out yards in the pub about high property tax, Shannon airport in the doldrums, patients stuck on trolleys in record numbers, but then vote the same clowns back in again. Sometimes I think we are one stupid race of people but then I realise there is no real viable alternative. Depressing.

I have met/heard some of the candidates before but have no ties to any.

The options are very poor.

Dr Harty left at the right time as he knew he wouldnt get in.
Of the remaining sitting candidates, Dooley and Breen didnt show up for the Mercosur vote and Carey voted in favour of it- a deal that would effectively close west clare as beef farmers keep a fair few businesses open.

Roisin Garvey is very strong willed but a bit too much of her own opinion being the only one. The Green party using throw away posters bothers me also. and I think their policies would be bad for the county.

Martin Conway is a me feiner. He has very little done for the area- there is plenty of social problems in his own town. Some were caused when he represented the area while in the County Councul. Of all the candidates I have heard of, he is my least favourite.

I have heard Joe Woulfe speak on the radio before and am not overly impressed.

Rita Mcinerney seems to be trying to make a go of things with two businesses in Donbeg. But I have heard nothing of her policies.


As for the rest, I don't know them enough to comment.


I have no decision made on the direction of my vote. But I am sick of people "Representing us" and only lining their pockets. No Canvassers will come near us as we are too rural and don't matter.

davidjtaylor wrote: »

There is a choice. Please don't spoil your vote - that's a score for the big parties as they benefit from fewer ballot papers.


Give Theresa O'Donohoe a chance. She's got her head screwed on. You might not like everything she's standing for but she'll speak up for minorities and she's leagues ahead of the Dooleys and Conways of this world.


Disclaimer: she's getting my first preference and I might be helping her distributing flyers. She needs all the help she can get as she hasn't got the money and the Dáil machinery behind her.

I'd second this sentiment, there are some decent candidates there that aren't part of the 2 bigger parties who let's be frank are embarrassingly bad apart from Crowe - who hasn't been there before but may be just as bad!

Personally I'll be voting McNamara and Garvey, 2 capable people who are not lackeys to the boys in Dublin.

davidjtaylor wrote: »

There is a choice. Please don't spoil your vote - that's a score for the big parties as they benefit from fewer ballot papers.


Give Theresa O'Donohoe a chance. She's got her head screwed on. You might not like everything she's standing for but she'll speak up for minorities and she's leagues ahead of the Dooleys and Conways of this world.


Disclaimer: she's getting my first preference and I might be helping her distributing flyers. She needs all the help she can get as she hasn't got the money and the Dáil machinery behind her.

People before profit?? No offence but no thanks. Don't want to end up like some socialist ghetto....

Who do you predict will be elected in Clare.
My 4 would be Dooley,Breen,Carey and Crowe.