Why have the Greens opted out?
The Labour Party is not going to run a candidate because they do not have a candidate to run. The Green Party, however, did have a suitable candidate, William Finnerty, but at a meeting some weeks ago in Ballinasloe a vote was taken whether to let him run.
The vote was lost (from Finnerty's point of view) by six to four, and now there is nobody running for the Greens in that area.
In my opinion, the democratic rights of the people of Ballinasloe have been removed. The option for Ballinasloe to vote Green was removed because the 10 East Galway Green Party members who voted decided that they could speak for the entire Ballinasloe area.
This at a time when that area desperately needs a Green candidate.
There are two proposed superdumps which could cause untold damage. These would be within a couple of miles of the fabulous Woodlawn House, which has been connected with the Lord Ashtown title. The superdumps would also be within a few miles of the site of the most decisive battle in Irish history the Battle of Aughrim.
Nearby is Esker Riada, which is the most important of the five great roads often referred to in the ancient histories of Ireland.
Not only this, but the proposed N6 upgrade is set to go right through the neighbouring Turoe/Knocknadala set of Celtic heritage sites.
I've heard that there is raw sewage running into the river in New Inn close to the source of the community water supply, among a multitude of other more local issues.
These areas desperately need a Green candidate to help fight to protect these sites, but the East Galway Greens have removed the right of the people to elect a Green Party representative.
I read in a local newspaper that a recycling company was willing to set up a plant in that area which would remove the necessity for superdumps or incinerators. This offer was rejected in 2001 by the Galway county manager. The people of the Ballinasloe area need a Green candidate to contest this decision (which has as yet remained uncontested by them).
Surely the Green Party supports recycling ahead of superdumps and incinerators? This may not be the case, though. I recently read that the Greens cannot be seen to endorse this recycling company because of a a problem involving shipment of waste to India.
There were approximately 10 other companies involved. Surely the Green Party cannot be removing their support for such a multitude of recycling companies?
At worst, they should condemn the action, and not the company. What is going on with the Green Party?
Why did they block William Finnerty from running? Why will they have no election candidate in an area that desperately needs one? Why do they seem to have such a negligent attitude to heritage sites in the Ballinasloe area? I would like an East Galway Green Party representative to respond so that I, and others, can gain some clarification on their bizarre way of thinking.
Ciarán Hughes,
Caherawoneen,
Kinvara,
Co Galway.
