Sligo/Leitrim General Election! 2015/2016?

Davy P · 02-09-2015 6:26pm

McCartin will not run for election , who will FG fun now ???
FF still cant find leitrim candidate !!!!

EuskalHerria · 08-09-2015 10:17pm

Curious to hear what people think will be the biggest election issues locally?

Geuze · 10-09-2015 9:07pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

Curious to hear what people think will be the biggest election issues locally?

As it's a national general election, Sligo issues won't be directly relevant.

For me:

unemployment still too high

price level - too high, comm rents and energy prices - not enough done here to reduce costs

welfare spending too high - not enough done to move LT unemployed back to participation

housing - FG/Lab too slow to remove barriers to more construction

Public transport - too much car use, especially in cities, not enough done to encourage modal shift

Health - why is a GP 50 euro in Irl and 25 in France? The waiting times target was increased from 12 months to 18 months, it's 18 weeks in the UK

iamnotme · 12-09-2015 10:58pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

Curious to hear what people think will be the biggest election issues locally?

Sums up the Irish Electorate. "Oh theres an overhanging tree up the road, what if the acorn falls off". Or "Oh there was a pothole on the lane nobody uses so i got the local yokel TD to fix it". Take a look at the people running your country.

EuskalHerria · 13-09-2015 4:46pm

iamnotme wrote: »

Sums up the Irish Electorate

Does it? Both you and the poster above misunderstood what I actually posted.

Some national issues may not feature in our constituency as prominently as others. For example, water charges are guaranteed to be a major issue.
It seems the repeal the 8th campaign is becoming more prominent. Recent stories have pushed the issue back into people's minds.

I was asking what other issues people anticipate will arise in Sligo/Leitrim. Not about the local roads/hedges.

Laurel_Patente · 16-09-2015 12:11am

So would it be fair to say that it is one seat each for FF (McSharry), SF (McManus), and FG, with the last seat a straight shootout between a second FG candidate and Scanlon, or a strong independent who hasn't yet declared?

Geuze · 16-09-2015 1:31pm

Laurel_Patente wrote: »

So would it be fair to say that it is one seat each for FF (McSharry), SF (McManus), and FG, with the last seat a straight shootout between a second FG candidate and Scanlon, or a strong independent who hasn't yet declared?

Yes, I presume

1 FG
1 FF
1 SF

and then a fight for the fourth seat.

Now, I'm no expert, so I could easily be wrong.

Geuze · 16-09-2015 1:33pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

Does it? Both you and the poster above misunderstood what I actually posted.

Some national issues may not feature in our constituency as prominently as others. For example, water charges are guaranteed to be a major issue.
It seems the repeal the 8th campaign is becoming more prominent. Recent stories have pushed the issue back into people's minds.

I was asking what other issues people anticipate will arise in Sligo/Leitrim. Not about the local roads/hedges.

Okay, fair enough.

High rents/housing- not really an issue in SL????

Water charges - yes I suppose so.

Retail / comm rents too high / empty shops - ????

Lack of FDI into Sligo????????

red sean · 16-09-2015 4:51pm

The election hasn't even been called and they have begun littering the main roads into town with their unnecessary posters. Disgraceful.

For Forks Sake · 16-09-2015 10:36pm

Geuze wrote: »

Retail / comm rents too high / empty shops - ????

Local Authority not a national issue. Should have been the sort of thing taken up with local election candidates last year

Davy P · 18-09-2015 5:14pm

Laurel_Patente wrote: »

So would it be fair to say that it is one seat each for FF (McSharry), SF (McManus), and FG, with the last seat a straight shootout between a second FG candidate and Scanlon, or a strong independent who hasn't yet declared?

Ye all seem to be writing off Leitrim from electing a TD , Ill be putting my house on Martin Kenny getting elected from the West Cavan - Leitrim area , he could get 7000 first preference votes, which will keep him in the race long enough for other Leitrim candidates to be eliminated. So that would be 2 SF. 1 FF. and 1 FG.

Laurel_Patente · 18-09-2015 7:50pm

Davy P wrote: »

Ye all seem to be writing off Leitrim from electing a TD , Ill be putting my house on Martin Kenny getting elected from the West Cavan - Leitrim area , he could get 7000 first preference votes, which will keep him in the race long enough for other Leitrim candidates to be eliminated. So that would be 2 SF. 1 FF. and 1 FG.

Kenny got 4,637 votes in the 2011 election on the first count and increased that to 5,906 in the by election, but suffered badly on transfers on both occasions. This time granted you are talking the whole Leitrim electoral area, but North Leitrim / Sligo will be encouraged to vote McManus 1 and Kenny 2, and I just can't see that vote being there; either in a surplus or in transfers to push both of them over the line. Kenny (or McManus if he ends up trailing) won't be transfer friendly, regardless of whether it comes down to a Leitrim issue, as FF will end up putting on a Leitrim candidate too to mop up that vote.

It will be close but tentatively I would see the last seat going to FF if (and it's an If) McSharry has a high surplus to distribute and if votes transfer to a second FF candidate.

It could happen for Kenny but SF would have to be polling considerably higher than what they are now to do so.

For Forks Sake · 18-09-2015 10:29pm

Laurel_Patente wrote: »

It could happen for Kenny but SF would have to be polling considerably higher than what they are now to do so.

There is also the issue of SF's transfer toxicity....

Laurel_Patente · 18-09-2015 10:37pm

For Forks Sake wrote: »

There is also the issue of SF's transfer toxicity....

Absolutely. Both Kenny and McManus will be strong at the start, could see a situation where they are both in the top 4, but once the transfers start coming in you will see lower placed right wing independents and the smaller government party TDs get the FF and FG candidates over the line and squeeze the vote for them.

Also, if the local elections are a barometer, SF's poll estimates will translate into a slightly lower vote share, so unless they are pushing at least 25% nationwide it's not a runner.

Now, as to whether McManus or Kenny will take that seat for SF, I think Kenny has the experience of contesting previous elections, but with Sligo being the major urban centre where votes will come from I could see McManus getting a bigger push from HQ and eventually getting over the line.

Henlars67 · 22-09-2015 7:51pm

SF do quite well on transfers in this constituency.

Michael Colreavy got around 3,000 transfers in the last GE.
Thomas Healy transferred well in the local elections as did the SF candidates in the Ballinamore area in Leitrim

Geuze · 14-10-2015 10:30am

Can somebody remind me of the candidates so far?

FG = John Perry + ???

FF = M McSharry + Eamon Scanlon ++???

SF = McManus + Kenny [Leitrim]

Lab = ???

EuskalHerria · 14-10-2015 11:34am

Geuze wrote: »

Can somebody remind me of the candidates so far?

FG = John Perry + ???

FF = M McSharry + Eamon Scanlon ++???

SF = McManus + Kenny [Leitrim]

Lab = ???

Fine Gael convention is this Friday. It looks possible John perry won't get a nomination as they go for a Sligo and Leitrim candidate strategy. Most likely Commiskey and McLoughlin if reports are true.

Confirmed candidates are:

Nigel Gallagher (PBP)
Marie Casserly (Ind)
Des Guckian (Ind)
Martin Kenny (SF)
Chris MacManus (SF)
Susan O'keeffe (Lab)
Marc MacSharry (FF)
Eamon Scanlon (FF)

Possibly one or two not there. There's a Twitter with news and tweets on candidates:
https://mobile.twitter.com/slsdwcelec

mountainy man · 17-10-2015 1:31am

News just in that John Perry not selected and the candidates for FG will be Tony Mc Loughlin and Gerry Reynolds.

For Forks Sake · 17-10-2015 11:06am

mountainy man wrote: »

News just in that John Perry not selected and the candidates for FG will be Tony Mc Loughlin and Gerry Reynolds.

Hardly surprising given that 1. they'd need a Leitrim based candidate given the expansion of the constituency, and 2. the only time Perry has made headlines has been the latest in a series of personal embarrassments to I'd say they waited to quietly drop him.

EuskalHerria · 20-11-2015 6:59pm

Confirmed candidates are:

Declan Bree (Ind/Right2Change)
Marie Casserly (Ind)
Finbarr Filan (Renua)
Nigel Gallagher (PBP)
Des Guckian (Ind)
Martin Kenny (SF)
Chris MacManus (SF)
Marc MacSharry (FF)
Tony McLoughlin (FG)
Susan O'Keeffe (Lab)
Leslie O'Hora (Green)
Gerry Reynolds (FG)
Eamon Scanlon (FF)
Gary Smylie (Ind)
Bernard Sweeney (Ind)

Possibly one or two not there. There's a Twitter with news and tweets on candidates:
https://mobile.twitter.com/slsdwcelec

Also good info here: http://adriankavanaghelections.org

Including a break down of the candidates and using recent polls, a projection for the seats.
Currently at 1 each for SF, FF & FG with one seat going to an independent.

red sean · 20-11-2015 7:56pm

There's no independent there capable of taking a seat. Last seat will be between FF and FG.

For Forks Sake · 20-11-2015 10:20pm

red sean wrote: »

There's no independent there capable of taking a seat. Last seat will be between FF and FG.

I'm inclined to agree. Most of the Independents listed above, with the exception of Casserly, will be fishing in the same waters for votes.

rizzodun · 20-11-2015 11:53pm

Don't see Finbarr Filan mentioned, but his campaign will be tough...

realitykeeper · 21-11-2015 9:54pm

For Forks Sake wrote: »

I'm inclined to agree.

Are you now?

JTL · 25-11-2015 6:49pm

John Perry fighting until the bitter end to get nominated...

Buford T Justice · 25-11-2015 9:11pm

Yea, best of luck to him, since he's as honest as his leader.

Geuze · 02-12-2015 1:43pm

The Irish Times last Sat suggested an outcome of:

2 FG, 1 FF, 1 SF.

Laurel_Patente · 04-12-2015 4:12pm

Geuze wrote: »

The Irish Times last Sat suggested an outcome of:

2 FG, 1 FF, 1 SF.

Yup that sounds about right, unless McSharry gets a very high vote and transfers well.

Geuze · 22-12-2015 4:14pm

Perry to be added to FG list of candidates.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1222/755712-perry-fg-election/

3 FG candidates - does this risk splitting the vote................???

Buford T Justice · 22-12-2015 7:45pm

Geuze wrote: »

Perry to be added to FG list of candidates.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1222/755712-perry-fg-election/

3 FG candidates - does this risk splitting the vote................???

He'll be popular with the party.

JTL · 22-12-2015 8:16pm

I don't think he cares..

'What's in it for me'

For Forks Sake · 22-12-2015 9:18pm

Geuze wrote: »

Perry to be added to FG list of candidates.

http://www.rte.ie/news/2015/1222/755712-perry-fg-election/

3 FG candidates - does this risk splitting the vote................???

That was precisely the reason FG (well apart from every mention of him in the media being in connection with yet more personal and financial embarrassment) were more than happy to jettison him in favour of having one candidate from either end of the constituency, which made a lot more sense.

Necro · 23-12-2015 12:48am

My two cents? It will make no difference as he'll be vastly outpolled by Scanlon in a FF favoured Ballymote area. Other FG candidates won't make a huge impact on that particular area regardless of his involvement.

Mint Sauce · 09-01-2016 12:08am

Canvassers have started.

T-Bird · 10-01-2016 5:48pm

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Canvassers have started.

That reminds me, I must renew my "No junk mail or election leaflets" sign at the front door. It actually worked a treat. It saves me from picking them up and filling the recycle bin with them...

Mint Sauce · 22-01-2016 4:03pm

Kinda surprised this has not came up yet either on this thread, general chit chat, stores closing/opening, OConnell St, or the Hughes Bridge threads. But seen on social media that Tony McLaughlin of Fine Gael had announced the News of 2 million worth of funding for community development in Cranmore, and the long awaited OConnell Street redevelopment. In the same conversation it was also mentioned that the 'empty' north bound lane on Hughes Bridge would be opened when improvements are completed as far a the Rosses Point junction.

Now dont know about the Cranmore developments, but I wonder would the OConnell Street plans do anything for the current state of empty units around town, counted at least 11 or 12 on OConnell street alone today, cant remember if that included Bodricks/The Irish House. Or is the empty units and the chamberr of commerce something that local government be focusing on first, then redevelopment of the towns streets.

Or is it all just pre election hype.

rizzodun · 23-01-2016 1:45pm

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Kinda surprised this has not came up yet either on this thread, general chit chat, stores closing/opening, OConnell St, or the Hughes Bridge threads. But seen on social media that Tony McLaughlin of Fine Gael had announced the News of 2 million worth of funding for community development in Cranmore, and the long awaited OConnell Street redevelopment. In the same conversation it was also mentioned that the 'empty' north bound lane on Hughes Bridge would be opened when improvements are completed as far a the Rosses Point junction.

Now dont know about the Cranmore developments, but I wonder would the OConnell Street plans do anything for the current state of empty units around town, counted at least 11 or 12 on OConnell street alone today, cant remember if that included Bodricks/The Irish House. Or is the empty units and the chamberr of commerce something that local government be focusing on first, then redevelopment of the towns streets.

Or is it all just pre election hype.

IMO the O' Connell st developments will do nothing to improve the town, it was closed off before, and that was during the boom times, and it had a negative impact, purely because the traffic situation in town is so bad currently, with all the traffic from North to South and vice versa being funnelled through the same side of town. There needs to be an alternative route across town for it to have any benefit. Secondary to that Sligo just doesn't have the population to sustain big chains that people keep whacking on about and wishing they would set up here, nor does it have the proper infrastructure (car parks etc.) to attract out of town shoppers.

If it made sense to the likes of M&S they'd already be here, and Tesco is a prime example, possible the worst store in Ireland and it possibly will never get any investment.

In short, Sligo is not, and never will be a city, and I wish politicians would quit spouting that bulls*it and just deal with what we have here and improve that, instead of having delusions of grandeur about our current status.

Finbar Filan's interview about his focus is to reinstate the Borough Council if he gets elected another prime example.

worlds goodest teecher · 05-02-2016 7:37pm

Anyone else have candidates just drop leaflets through the letterbox and not bother knocking/ringing even when there is clearly someone in the house? Those candidates definitely won't be getting my vote.

EuskalHerria · 05-02-2016 11:25pm

worlds goodest teecher wrote: »

Anyone else have candidates just drop leaflets through the letterbox and not bother knocking/ringing even when there is clearly someone in the house? Those candidates definitely won't be getting my vote.

Yes. Can understand why some are cautious about knocking on doors. I've seen a LOT of leaflets from 3 people in particular blowing around the streets. I won't name them, might not be fair. (Perry, McLoughlin and McSharry)

Laurel_Patente · 05-02-2016 11:44pm

I live in Donegal, have had one canvassing team around so far (Nigel Gallagher from PBP) and the canvasser was well able to give his spiel about what his candidate stood for. Will consider him for a preference even if I wouldn't exactly share his policies.

Have had two seperate leaflets left in for Tony McLoughlin even when I've been in the house, poor form like.

Laurel_Patente · 05-02-2016 11:44pm

I live in Donegal, have had one canvassing team around so far (Nigel Gallagher from PBP) and the canvasser was well able to give his spiel about what his candidate stood for. Will consider him for a preference even if I wouldn't exactly share his policies.

Have had two seperate leaflets left in for Tony McLoughlin even when I've been in the house, poor form like.

ectoraige · 06-02-2016 12:54am

Laurel_Patente wrote: »

I live in Donegal, have had one canvassing team around so far (Nigel Gallagher from PBP) and the canvasser was well able to give his spiel about what his candidate stood for. Will consider him for a preference even if I wouldn't exactly share his policies.

Have had two seperate leaflets left in for Tony McLoughlin even when I've been in the house, poor form like.

Hah, I had him (Nigel Gallagher) at the door, I asked him if the get rid of water charges what would they do with the network of meters installed across the country, at first he didn't have an answer. Then when I asked could they be used to encourage people to conserve water he suggested people could be given an allowance to stick to... I.e. water charges!

I also asked after they raise corporate taxes to pay for services and the corporates move elsewhere what the plan was then. He reckoned even if big ones like Google relocate, the likes of Abbvie and Elanco would pay the higher taxes. Two weeks later Elanco is gone, without any tax hike needed.

Also had one of the Fianna Fáilers in but didn't have time to tackle him. One of Tony McLaughlin's people was around too and in fairness when I mentioned an issue I'd brought to the TD was able to remember the details and the outcome. He'll sit above Perry on my list, but they're still both near the bottom

ectoraige · 06-02-2016 1:04am

Mint Sauce wrote: »

Kinda surprised this has not came up yet either on this thread, general chit chat, stores closing/opening, OConnell St, or the Hughes Bridge threads. But seen on social media that Tony McLaughlin of Fine Gael had announced the News of 2 million worth of funding for community development in Cranmore, and the long awaited OConnell Street redevelopment. In the same conversation it was also mentioned that the 'empty' north bound lane on Hughes Bridge would be opened when improvements are completed as far a the Rosses Point junction.

Now dont know about the Cranmore developments, but I wonder would the OConnell Street plans do anything for the current state of empty units around town, counted at least 11 or 12 on OConnell street alone today, cant remember if that included Bodricks/The Irish House. Or is the empty units and the chamberr of commerce something that local government be focusing on first, then redevelopment of the towns streets.

Or is it all just pre election hype.

That shouldn't really have much to do with national elections though, leave for local government and keep the gombeenism out of Leinster House. That's how Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael have dominated Irish politics - people don't like the national policy but reckon the local guy is the 'exception'. No he bloody isn't, he's the problem!

Meanwhile the left never build momentum because they turn on whichever other left-wing party ended up as a junior member of government and had to compromise to get some things done.

The likes of Sinn Féin and PBP are running their hands in glee at the thought of Labour's destruction when the real problem for them are the majority centre-right parties.

worlds goodest teecher · 06-02-2016 11:48am

Can anyone tell me who are the better/stronger of the local independents running?

EuskalHerria · 06-02-2016 12:23pm

worlds goodest teecher wrote: »

Can anyone tell me who are the better/stronger of the local independents running?

There are 6 independents altogether. I wouldn't give 4 a chance. It's all relatively subjective though.

In my opinion Declan Bree could poll well and be in with a chance. Then Marie Casserrly could do okay too. Although the fact she doesn't state her position on almost every issue seems to irritate people, rightly so in my opinion.

I think the debates will be good. Ocean usually have them so it could help give an insight.

EuskalHerria · 09-02-2016 12:24am

Quick question, has anyone here spoken with a candidate yet at the doorstep?

worlds goodest teecher · 09-02-2016 8:40pm

EuskalHerria wrote: »

Quick question, has anyone here spoken with a candidate yet at the doorstep?

Not yet, haven't had any call since last week. McSharry's representatives just put a leaflet through the door and didn't look to speak with us.

iamnotme · 09-02-2016 10:27pm

I heard my letterbox in Manorhamilton at 8.20am last sunday week. Pamphlet for FG. They certainly weren't up for engaging with the electorate.

Speedwell · 10-02-2016 3:27am

No candidates in sight in Collooney; I work from home and someone would be here to answer the door pretty much all the time.

worlds goodest teecher · 11-02-2016 10:40am

iamnotme wrote: »

I heard my letterbox in Manorhamilton at 8.20am last sunday week. Pamphlet for FG. They certainly weren't up for engaging with the electorate.

Ye got the same yesterday morning only difference was that the postman delivered it.

Sligo/Leitrim General Election! 2015/2016?

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