Galway Bay fm - News

Galway businesses and landmarks to light up in green for Samaritans' Longest Night Campaign

Galway businesses and landmarks are to light up in green tomorrow for the Samaritans' Longest Night Campaign.
It's to show solidarity with those who may be struggling and coincides with the shortest day, the Winter Solstice.
The campaign highlights that while the nights are long, Samaritans' volunteers are always there to listen.
Samaritans' Galway Deputy Director of publicity Kristen Fossum says the simple act of lighting up in green can have a profound impact.

Sinn Fein to hold public meeting in Athenry on controversial Mercosur trade deal

Sinn Fein is set to host a public meeting in Athenry tomorrow evening where the impacts of the controversial Mercosur trade on Irish agriculture and consumers will be discussed.
The trade deal is an agreement between the EU and the South American bloc which is aimed at boosting trade by reducing tariffs and opening markets.
The meeting will be held in the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry at 8 tomorrow night.
Galway East TD Louis O'Hara says now is the time for farmers to raise their voices and to oppose this trade deal.

Local MEP says Ireland missing out on EU funding for social enterprise

Ireland is falling behind other EU countries when it comes to accessing central funding for social enterprise developments.
That's according to local MEP Maria Walsh, who says Ireland consistently draws less funding per capita than other EU states.
Fine Gael MEP Walsh told the EU Parliament it's not due to a lack of demand.

Midlands North West MEP says EU Fishing Council Decision is a Body Blow to Irish Fishing Industry

Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has described the outcome of the EU Fisheries Council in Brussels as a body blow to the Irish fishing industry, warning that the decision will devastate coastal communities and place thousands of jobs at risk.
Following a marathon Council meeting, Ireland has emerged with 57,000 tonnes less fishing quota for 2026, despite widespread recognition that the Irish fishing sector is already under severe pressure.
This pressure has been compounded by ongoing overfishing by non-EU countries and the continued access of other EU fleets to Irish waters.
Speaking this morning, MEP Mullooly said that emergency aid has to be sought for communities that will be devastated by this decision.

Galway Minister welcomes major EU investment in Galway digital infrastructure

The announcement of €35 million in EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding for digital infrastructure has been welcomed by Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports Seán Canney.
Of that, €31 million will go to projects in the West of Ireland.
The funding is €12,281,625 for Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and €18,932,210 for the PISCES subsea cable system.
Welcoming the announcement, Minister Canney explained where the funding will go, adding that these were very important projects not only for the west but for the country as a whole.

Athenry event to mark 103rd anniversary of Liam Mellows' death

An event will be held in Athenry tomorrow to mark the 103rd anniversary of the death of Liam Mellows.
It’s organised by Sinn Fein, and they’re honouring him as a key revolutionary figure and a prominent Anti-Treaty republican.
It will be held at 12:30pm in Athenry Commemorative Garden and Galway East TD Louis O’Hara says everyone is welcome.

Galway Rural Development welcome changes to Rural Social Scheme

The announcement this week of three major changes to the Rural Social Scheme has been warmly welcomed by Galway Rural Development.
The RSS is an income support initiative providing part-time employment for farmers and fishers in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are underemployed.
The changes include the fact that the RSS will be available to any person who is 25 years or older in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, and who has a 'defined' connection to the farming number.The RSS will also now be available to the spouse/civil partner/cohabitant of a Farmer or Fisherperson. Again, the individual must be 25 years or older, engaged in farming, and in receipt of a qualifying payment.
In addition to those changes, under a new pilot scheme 250 places for 'Rural Dwellers' will soon be available nationally.
The campaign for changes to the rules of the scheme was led by Galway Rural Development.
Speaking to Galway Bay FM, CEO Steve Dolan said these changes will make the scheme more flexible and better aligned with the reality of rural life.

Minister called on to end the stalemate on Clarinbridge and Craughwell Wastewater projects

Minister James Browne has been called on to end the stalemate on the Clarinbridge and Craughwell Wastewater projects.
Concerns are high as the delay is blocking housing delivery and stalling local development
Fianna Fáil Cllr Martina Kinane has told Minister Browne the Government needs to urgently resolve the co-funding issue between the department, Uisce Eireann and the County Council.
 
 

Galway Autism Partnership and Medtronic to host Special Quiet Time event

Galway Autism Partnership in partnership with Medtronic, will host a special "Quiet Time" event as part of tomorrow's Galway Science & Technology Festival.
This event is designed to offer a comfortable, sensory-friendly environment for individuals who may find the full festival atmosphere challenging or overwhelming and will run from 9am to 10.30am at the Human Biology Building, at the University of Galway.
This session is open to all, with limited numbers to ensure a quieter, more relaxed experience.
Maire Brid Ní Chonghaile of Galway Autism Partnership explains what will happen tomorrow.

Minister of State confirms that Western Rail Corridor from Athenry to Claremorris will be reopened

Minister of State for Transport Sean Canney has confirmed that funding for the Western Rail Corridor line from Athenry to Claremorris is available and that works on the line will commence within the next 18 months.
At a meeting of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee in Galway, Deputy Canney also confirmed that the project will be included in the National Development Plan and gave a commitment that once the Athenry to Claremorris phase starts, the attention will turn to phase three, linking Claremorris to Collooney.
Speaking to Galway Bay FM News, Deputy Canney said he looked forward to the project being delivered in the coming years.