Galway Bay fm - News

Ballinasloe secures representation on County Joint Policing Committee

Ballinasloe has now secured representation on the County Joint Policing Committee. 
The JPC is a forum that brings together senior Gardaí with local councillors, TDs and community stakeholders to discuss policing and crime issues across Galway.
But until now, Ballinasloe was the only district in the county that didn't have a representative. 
That's now been rectified, with the appointment of Councillor Declan Geraghty this week. 
Councillor Geraghty says it's vital that all areas have a voice. 

County Council urged to be more sympathetic towards ’Granny Flat’ planning applications

Galway County Council is being urged to be more sympathetic towards planning applications for 'Granny Flats'. 
The matter arose during a debate at County Hall this week on the planning system - and the enormous difficulty facing young people seeking to build in local areas. 
Councillor Joe Byrne said when it comes to extensions on family land, or 'granny flats', the local authority should be as sympathetic as possible. 
Councillor Byrne says for many young couples, it's a very viable option and they should be accommodated as much as possible.  

Galway Airport site to be considered for use as live entertainment venue

The former Galway Airport site in Carnmore to be considered for use as a live entertainment venue until an overall plan is developed for the site. 
It's been jointly owned by Galway City and County Council since 2013 - but progress on a long-awaited masterplan has been incredibly slow. 
Councillor David Collins thinks in the meantime, it should be put to use as an entertainment venue. 
He gives an example of a recent Saw Doctors concert in Tuam, where tickets sold out just minutes after going on sale due to limited capacity at the local venue. 
Councillor Collins says there's huge demand across the county - but the venues aren't there at the moment.  
 

3 Galway Independent TDs vote with Government as it survives confidence vote

The government has comfortably survived a confidence motion in the Dáil.
The final tally was 86 votes for the government and 67 against.
In a vote that hinged on support from Independent TDs, nine of them supported the Government.
That includes three Galway Independents - Galway East TD, Sean Canney, Roscommon Deputy, Denis Naughten and Galway West TD, Noel Grealish.
Exiled Green Party TD Neasa Hourigan also voted with the coalition.
Political Correspondent Seán Defoe has this report:

Underground cable fault blamed for yesterday’s power outage affecting 3,000 in Tirellen area

The ESB has stated that an underground cable fault was to blame for yesterday's power outage in the Tirellan area of Galway city.
The outage impacted over 3,000 customers for almost two hours yesterday.
It comes just two weeks after an power outage affected 8,000 customers for seven hours in Galway city east.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Matt Cunningham, Area Manager with ESB Networks explains what happened at the Headford road station:

Sean Canney outlines position ahead of no-confidence vote in Government

Last week, Deputy Sean Canney voted in support of the Government in return for agreement on a number of proposals in relation to housing. 
He says he'll be voting in support again today, as he doesn't think collapsing the current Government is the right thing to do. 

Local TDs lay out their stalls ahead of Government no-confidence vote

Two local independent TDs have been laying out their stalls ahead of the no-confidence vote in the Government this morning. 
A number of regional independents voted with the Government in the recent evictions ban vote - and could hold the balance of power this morning. 
But speaking to Galway Talks, Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice questions how anyone could support the current Government

House prices in Galway drop since the start of 2023

There's been a fall in house prices across Galway city and county since the start of the year.
In the city, they've fallen by €5,000, or one percent, in the first three months of the year, while in the county they fell by just €1,000.
Nationally, the 0.3 percent fall marks the first time there's been a decrease in prices in a decade, according to the latest Daft.ie House Price Report 
The number of homes available to buy at the beginning of March stood at just 13,000 - up 30 per cent on the same date last year but still below the 2019 average of 24,200. 
CEO of the Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers Pat Davitt says the latest figures point to the possibility of prices levelling off. 

Protestors voice opposition to elements of proposed Athlone-Galway Cycleway

Protestors turned out in Oranmore last evening at a public information meeting on the planned Galway to Athlone Cycleway.
 
The 205km route will take in Oranmore, Renville, Clarinbridge, Kilcolgan, Kinvara, Gort, Woodford, Portumna, Meelick, Clonfert, Ballinasloe, Shannonbridge and Athlone Castle.
 
But while protestors from communities across the county are not against the cycleway in principle, they argue some elements of the preferred route are inappropriate in their areas.
 
It’s expected a planning application for the ambitious project will be lodged with An Bord Pleanala sometime in 2024.
 
These people are very concerned about the potential impact on Kilcaiman Bay in South Galway.
 

Report shows Martin Roundabout works coming in well under budget despite delays

A report has revealed that the ongoing works to transform the Martin Roundabout are coming in well under budget. 
The overall estimated cost was almost €5m. 
But it's now been revealed that the winning tender had a cost of €3.3m and to date, over €2.9m has been paid to the contractor. 
The project has been plagued with repeated delays, with the latest completion date estimated as sometime next month. 
Councillor Alan Cheevers thinks the figures aren't telling the full story - he's been speaking to David Nevin.