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Interest in the General Election in the county continues to build as the days remaining to the February 25 polling day slip into single figures. While the indications point to two Fine Gael seats and one Fianna Fáil seat, the elusive fourth seat in Clare is still very much in the melting pot.

ONE body, one spirit for Clare? It may sound like a high ideal but the county’s future TDs seem to believe it is a real possibility. The West of Ireland, including Clare, should come under one tourism authority and if we tap into spiritual tourism, the county could become Ireland’s answer to the Camino de Santiago, it was suggested.

Shannon Airport needs to be managed locally if it is to survive according to the majority of candidates at Monday night’s debate.

CONSIDERING the short run-in, the campaign for Election 2011 seems to have gone on for an eternity. For many, looking at a 16-candidate field makes for a difficult decision, while for others, hereditary party lines dictate their ballot preferences. The Burning Issues Debate, in limited time considering the size of the field, managed to chip away at the surface to reveal the faces of the most likely contenders to become Clare TDs in the 31st Dáil.

BASED on Monday’s debate, it is difficult to see the Independent candidates having the necessary impact to seriously challenge for any of the county’s four coveted Dáil seats.

THERE were conflicting views on whether or not an audit is needed to ensure more Clare children with special needs receive public therapy.

THE current health service in Clare is outdated and “dangerous for patients,” said a doctor and one of the county’s prospective TDs on Monday night.