Tag Archives: voting

NOT so long ago general elections were predictable, both in Clare and in Ireland generally, but after last weekend there is a sense that voters might do just about anything. In Clare this was certainly the most dramatic result for many decades, with neither Fianna Fáil or Fine Gael having a candidate who hit the quota, as Sinn Féin topped the poll, a situation that was unthinkable almost until the moment it happened. There was widespread surprise in the Falls Hotel on Sunday morning as the tallies were being compiled and Violet Anne Wynne, an almost totally unknown quantity, was taking in more number ones than any one else. Many people around the count centre were saying the same thing; they knew that Sinn Féin were going to do well nationally, but just couldn’t see it happening in Clare. But it was happening. As recently as 2007 Fianna Fáil were campaigning on a platform of stability. It genuinely resonated with …

Clare has so far recorded an average turnout of 28% in today’s eighth amendment referendum but that figure is expected to increase significantly after 6pm when people finish work. The highest turnout to date has been recorded in St Conaire’s in Shannon where 31% of the electorate there have already cast their vote. This is followed by Ennis and Doonbeg on 30%. In West Clare they are turning out well also with 28% of votes cast in Kilrush, 29% in Caherea (Lissycasey), 24% in Kilkee and Kilmurry McMahon. Meanwhile in East Clare Tulla hs recorded a turn out of 26%.  

MOST polling stations surveyed by the Clare Champion had seen voter turnout in the region of 20-25% by the early afternoon. Doonbeg led the way with 25% turnout, while in Kilmurry McMahon it was 19% and 22% in Caherea. In Ennis the overall turnout was around 22%, while at St Conaire’s in Shannon it was at 24%. Twenty per cent of the register had voted in Newmarket on Fergus, while the figure was 23% in O’Callaghan’s Mills. The usual post-work increase in voting patterns is expected, as the 151 polling stations throughout the constituency will remain open until 10pm. A total of 83,225 people are eligible to vote in Clare.

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has expressed disappointment that a Bill to extend the vote to young people aged 16 and 17 was stymied on Wednesday after the Seanad voted 29-21 in favour of an amendment to delay consideration of the Bill until December 2017. The National Youth Council represents organisations working with over 380,000 young people nationwide. James Doorley, NYCI deputy director said, “Democracy delayed is democracy denied and with this amendment the Government has kicked the can down the road on this issue yet again. The timing is particularly frustrating, as losing nine months will make it very difficult for any change in legislation to be in effect in time for the 2019 Local and European Elections.” The Electoral (Amendment) Voting at 16 Bill 2016, sponsored by Senators Warfield, Ruane and Mac Lochlainn, would have seen voting rights extended to young people aged 16 and 17 in local and European Elections. According to Mr Doorley this …

Fine Gael’s Martin Conway will be Clare’s sole representative in the Seanad. The Ennistymon man successfully retained his seat on the Administrative Panel of Seanad Éirean. He was first elected to this panel in 2011 and was the Seanad spokesperson on Justice, Disability and Equality. He is the first visually impaired member of the Oireachtas. Conway’s first foray into politics was in 2004 when he won a seat on Clare County Council, representing North Clare. He was re-elected to the council in 2009, topping the poll. However, outgoing senator Tony Mulcahy from Shannon surrendered his seat. He was one of 23 candidates seeking the 11 seats on the Labour panel. He was eliminated in the sixth count. Following his unsuccessful bid Senator Mulcahy said that one of the first things he has to do is get a handle on his finances. He said that despite perceptions of politics being ultra-lucrative, most of those who have lost their Seanad seats face …

The new coastguard station in Doolin has been shortlisted for the RIAI (Royal Institute of Architects of Ireland) Public Choice Architecture Award. The station was designed by two award winning architecture practices Dominic Stevens Architects and Dorman Architects and has been operational since Easter. It has been a long held ambition of the Coast Guard to provide Doolin with a station that befits its operational status, as one of the busiest units in the country. The unit now has a base and a home, with which they feel justifiably proud. The architect has seamlessly integrated an aesthetically pleasing building into the Burren landscape of Doolin. It is a facility that is functional and wholly provides for the operational needs of the unit in terms of emergency response, training spaces, operational equipment storage and changing facilities. The public can vote for the building to be this year’s award winner at http://www.irisharchitectureawards.ie/public-choice/

County Clare residents are currently casting their number one preference votes at polling stations across the county for the 2014 local and European elections. A total of 90,620 people living in Clare are entitled to vote in the local election which sees 69 candidates battle it out for 28 seats across the four municipal districts: Ennis; West; Shannon; and Killaloe. Among them was 82 year old Clare man JJ Barry who voted for the first time in Ireland. An emigrant in England for 63 years, JJ returned to Kilkee in West Clare two years ago. A man with a keen interest in politics, JJ was delighted with the opportunity to vote in County Clare. “I wanted to vote now because I don’t know how many years I have left. I always wanted to have a vote but in my time, there was no voting in Ireland until you were 21. I was 19 when I emigrated,” he revealed. All polling …