Ciaran Cannon, PD

Ciaran Cannon, PD, Galway East`.

The councilor from Athenry wants to be 'involved in the politics of getting things done,  the politics of getting services and funding to where they are most needed'. Having successfully ran in local elections in 2004, this is his first year in a general election.

Of particular interest to Cannon are issues of planning, especially rural planning. In his time working in planning departments in Dublin and Galway county councils, Cannon has come to believe in the need for a major reform of local government. A lot of inefficiency could be reduced by devolving power to local government, which also needs proper funding, according to Cannon. He supports the development of a strong Atlantic corridor to act as a counterbalance to the East coast. Cannon feels that he is up against strong competition, as he has no 'electoral machine', unlike the FF and FG candidates who have an 'army of canvassers waiting in the wings'.