In the latest of our Clare FM election debates, the second cohort of candidates from the Killaloe Municipal District have made their appeal for votes.
There’s now just 10 days to go until polling day.
Once again, rural issues dominated as the final batch of candidates in the Killaloe Municipal District participated in their Clare FM debate.
Sitting councillors Fianna Fáil’s Pat Hayes and Pat Burke of Fine Gael were joined in the last evening’s debate by Beckha Doyle of the Social Democrats, Sinn Féin’s Seán Naughten and Fine Gael hopeful Ger O’Halloran.
Tourism, infrastructure, farming and supports to keep people living and working in rural Clare dominated proceedings.
At 20, Sinn Féin’s Seán Naughten is one of the youngest candidates in the country – and he feels they’re not getting enough support from the local authority.
Another young candidate also running here is Beckha Doyle, who wants to see dedicated facilities put in place for younger people around the district.
The Social Democrats candidate feels it would make a major difference for school-going kids in their towns and villages.
Once again, the state of the roads in East Clare was raised.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Pat Hayes says aside from the main roads, there are many smaller boreens that need serious upgrading.
While Fine Gael Councillor Pat Burke feels housing is one of the most pressing issues facing people in the county.
Cllr Burke’s party colleague Ger O’Halloran, meanwhile, feels more can be done in terms of tourism.
Though Holy Island on Lough Derg is being developed as a tourist destination for East Clare, he isn’t convinced there’s enough accommodation available for the amount of visitors they want to attract.
The first of the Kilrush candidates will make their plea for votes in this evening’s debate from 6:00pm.
