Mon, 18 Nov, 2024 - 14:45

Crucial constituencies: Galway West profile – Candidates and issues

Here is everything you need to know about Galway West before heading to the polls on November 29th.

Tomas Doherty

Galway West will see a "celebrity candidate" attempt to win a seat in this election.

Here is everything you need to know about the area before heading to the polls on November 29th.

The constituency

Galway West is spread out over a large area, stretching from Galway city to sparsely populated Connemara and islands such as Inishbofin.

The boundaries of Galway West have changed slightly – some electoral areas in Co Mayo that were included in 2020 have moved back to the Mayo constituency. The population is 148,037.

What are the issues?

The suburbs of Galway city are among the most affluent areas of the country, while there are pockets of disadvantage in more isolated coastal communities.

Rising rents and a lack of properties to lease or buy is a major issue in both urban and rural parts of the constituency.

Access to timely healthcare is another concern, with overcrowding and waiting lists at Galway University Hospital among the worst in the country.

Traffic congestion in Galway city, public transport, tourism and short-term lets in gaeltacht areas are the other big issues for voters.

Seats

There are five seats in the constituency, which is unchanged since the last election.

The candidates

Fianna Fáil TD Éamon Ó Cuív, the grandson of Éamon DeValera, is retiring after 32 years.

His party has secured a "celebrity candidate" in broadcaster and TV presenter Gráinne Seoige, who grew up in a small Irish-speaking community a few kilometres west of An Spidéal.

However, a poll published by TG4 found Ms Seoige might face a battle to win a seat, with Independent candidate and outgoing leas-Ceann Comhairle Catherine Connolly out on top, followed by Fine Gael's Hildegarde Naughton and Independent TD Noel Grealish.

The three large parties are still likely to keep their seats here, with the battle for the remaining two seats between the smaller parties and Independent candidates.