Galway Bay fm - News

Roscommon/Galway TD calls for Dáil recall as fuel crisis deepens

Roscommon/Galway TD and Independent Ireland Agriculture Spokesperson Michael Fitzmaurice has called for the immediate recall of the Dáil, warning that the escalating fuel crisis is now having a direct and severe impact on farming, housing, the cost of living and the wider economy.
Deputy Fitzmaurice said the situation has worsened significantly in recent days, with green diesel now reaching €1.70 per litre, and petrol and diesel head back towards costs seen before excise cuts placing unsustainable pressure on householders and key sectors.
Speaking to Galway Bay FM News, Deputy Fitzmaurice said decisions need to be made.

New Car Registrations In Galway Up in first three months of 2026

New figures from the Society of the Irish Motor Industry show an increase in new car registrations in Galway for the months of January to March 2026.
In Galway, 2829 new cars were registered as compared to 2732 for the same period last year, an increase of 3.55%.
However, nationally, new car registrations were down 10.4% compared to March 2025 with 15,485 registrations.
There was a significant rise in the registration of electric cars with 3,851 registered, an increase of 52.1%.
In the new car market share by engine type, Hybrid (Petrol Electric) continues to lead as the most popular engine type at 27.36%, followed by Electric 21.56%, Petrol 21.24%, Plug-In Hybrid 14.41%, and Diesel 12.92%.
SIMI Director General Brian Cooke said that following a strong January and February, there was a marked decrease in March.

Silage contractors from Galway among last night’s protest over failure to reduce the cost of green diesel back to pre-war levels.

Silage contractors from Galway joined contractors from Longford, Roscommon, Leitrim, Cavan and Monaghan last night in Portlaoise to protest over the Government’s failure to reduce the cost of green diesel back to pre-war levels.
Many of the 400 or so who attended the packed meeting in the Midlands Park Hotel said the hike on fuel prices was going to play havoc for farmers silage costs in the coming weeks, adding that they were in favour of staging road blockades at Dublin airport and along the M50 next week.
However, Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly said a committee has now been formed firstly to negotiate with the Government and Minister for Finance next week on key issues. MEP Mullooly says scrapping the excise duty on green diesel must be done immediatelyif contractors are to stay in business.  He says a series of proposals came out of last night’s meeting.

HSE offer further clarity on the future of St Brigids Campus in Ballinasloe

The HSE have provided further clarity on the future of the St Brigids campus in Ballinasloe.
Galway/Roscommon Sinn Fein TD Claire Kerrane says the HSE has given indications on how it will use parts of the land in future.
Some parcels of the land are being put on the open market, and work is ongoing to clean up and repair buildings on the grounds.
Deputy Kerrane says it's now been made clearer what will happen with the land the HSE intends to keep.

Funding allocated for foothpath works in Headford

Funding has been allocated towards footpath works on the Main Street in Headford.
Local Councillor Andrew Reddington says Transport Infrastructure Ireland has allocated €40 thousand towards the works along the N84.
Fine Gael Councillor Reddington expects a contractor to be picked soon.

Cancellation of Bus Éireann's 52 Bus a major blow says Sinn Fein TD

The upcoming cancellation of Bus Éireann's 52 Bus from Ballina-Galway has been described as a major blow to towns and villages along its route, including Milltown, Tuam and Claregalway by Sinn Fein TD for Galway East Louis O'Hara. 
It was announced yesterday by Bus Éireann that the route will be cancelled from the 24th of May, alongside two other Expressway services in the Southeast. These are the Waterford to Dublin and Dublin Airport route and Rosslare and Wexford to Waterford. 
In a statement, Bus Eireann said that the measures are in response to the continuous significant losses being incurred on these services adding that the decision to withdraw from a small number of routes is aimed at safeguarding the Expressway network.
Speaking to Galway Bay FM News this morning, Deputy O'Hara said that this decision is a step backwards in terms of transport connectivity. 

Local TD calls for Junior and Leaving Cert exam fees to be removed

A local TD is calling on the government to reverse its decision to reinstate exam fees.
Parents are being asked for €109 per Junior Cert student and €116 per Leaving Cert student.
Sinn Féin TD Louis O'Hara says the last thing parents need is another bill at the door, amid rising fuel costs.
Deputy O'Hara believes the Government are 'out of touch' with the pressure families are under:

Senator Sean Kyne

Minister welcomes new transport support for learners with intellectual disabilities in Galway and Roscommon

Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports and Leader in Cabinet of the Independent Ministers Sean Canney has welcomed the announcement that €80,000 in new transport funding has been secured for the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board to support learners with intellectual disabilities.
The funding forms part of the new Transport Fund for Learners with Intellectual Disabilities, introduced as part of the Fund for Students with Disabilities in Further Education and Training.
GRETB will also receive €120,000 under the wider Fund for Students with Disabilities, which supports learners through a range of practical supports and services.
Speaking to Galway Bay FM News, Minister Canney said that the funding was very important for people with disabilities. 

Galway West Deputy welcomes allocation of €84,000 for the progression of an Injury Unit in Galway

Galway West Fianna Fail Deputy John Connolly has welcomed the allocation of €84,000 for the progression of an Injury Unit in Galway, saying the project will help deliver faster care for patients while easing pressure on the Emergency Department at University Hospital Galway.
The funding has been allocated under the Health Service Executive Capital Plan for 2026 and will support the project as it progresses through the appraisal stage.
Injury Units provide treatment for recent non-life-threatening injuries that are unlikely to require hospital admission.
By treating these cases locally, they allow patients to receive care more quickly while reducing the number of people attending busy emergency departments.
Speaking this morning, Deputy Connolly said that Galway would be the next logical place for an injury unit to be set up, and this allocation is a positive development.