COUNTY COUNCIL PROFILE:/GALWAY:SOME WOULD describe its approach as "mature", while others might not be quite so generous. Either way, Galway County Council is regarded as a rather civilised chamber in contrast to its rather boisterous counterpart in City Hall.
County Hall doesn’t do walk-outs or calls for resignations – unlike its sister chamber down the hill. Loyalty is all on almost every issue, be it overdevelopment, lack of services, water quality or the constant challenge of employment in areas lured by the magnet of the city.
Take, for example, two councillors who have attracted some unwanted attention since the last elections. Fianna Fáil’s Josie Conneely courted criticism in and around Clifden over his avowed interest in rezoning lands around his property, a former hunting lodge now run as a hotel on the beautiful Ardbear peninsula.
As Conneely was obliged to absent himself during the vote, two party colleagues – one based leagues across the county in Tuam – proposed and seconded the motion. Only one councillor, representing the Progressive Democrats, voted against.
Then there was the council’s response to difficulties encountered by south Galway councillor Michael “Stroke” Fahy, who resigned from Fianna Fáil in 2004. He remained on as an Independent while serving a jail term, having been convicted in February 2007 of charges of erection of fencing on his land.
That conviction was struck down after he had served most of it and he is appealing the outcome of a retrial last year.
Returning to the chamber in December 2007, less than a week after his release, Fahy was greeted with applause. Many felt others had not even faced trial for far worse. Interestingly, Fahy is listed as Fianna Fáil on the local authority’s website.
Still, it is not an easy time for any party to be knocking on doors. Even the “safe houses” aren’t safe any more, one Fianna Fáil politician told the Connacht Tribune, while disillusionment is affecting even the committed. A low turnout is expected.
Connemara, where issues include the lack of a fire brigade (in the south), cutbacks on Bus Éireann routes and the future of Ros-a-Mhíl harbour, will be an acid test.
If loyalty to Fianna Fáil’s four of seven councillors holds here, it will hold anywhere.
Casualties are more likely to be in the north or east – as in Tuam, Loughrea or Ballinasloe – where employment has been an issue long before the downturn.
In Loughrea, there is much interest in the future of a seat formerly held by former Progressive Democrats leader Senator Ciarán Cannon. Current incumbent Michael “Mogie” Maher, like Mr Cannon, has joined Fine Gael.
The difficulties faced by farmers is a major issue and Labour’s candidates are targeting the traditional Fianna Fáil farming vote, while the Green Party is running candidates who have stood before.
HOW THE PARTIES STAND
(Outgoing)
FF 10
FG 11
Lab1
SF 1
Others7
