Galway Bay fm - News

Minister Roderic O' Gorman to address public referendum event at University of Galway

Minister Roderic O' Gorman is set to address a public referendum event at University of Galway tomorrow evening
On March 8th, people will be voting in two constitutional referendums - one on the definition of family and another on replacing reference to the duties of a mother in the home.
The free event will take place at the IT Building at University of Galway tomorrow at 7pm. 
Audience members will have an opportunity to engage with Green Party Minister O' Gorman in a Q&A session. 
Dr. Brian Tobin says they're delighted to host the Minister and are hoping for a good turnout. 

Appointment cancellations at Portiuncula hospital up by two thirds in just 9 months

The number of appointment cancellations at Portiuncula Hospital has risen by two thirds in less than a year.
Over 1,200 appointments were cancelled in the first three quarters of 2023 compared to the same time in 2022 - that's up by almost 500.
Nationwide, there were almost 200,000 cancellations in that time - a rise of around 64,000 on the first three quarters the year previous.
Sinn Féin TD for Roscommon/Galway Claire Kerrane says it highlights huge problems within the health service

Green Party chair praises continued increase in organic farming across Galway

Chair of the Green Party and local Senator Pauline O' Reilly is praising the continued increase in organic farming across Galway. 
She says Galway is the third highest county for new organic farmers this year - with almost 100 local farmers joining the Organic Farming Scheme. 
Senator O' Reilly says organic farming takes a high level of skill - but Irish farmers are well able for the challenge. 

Eamon Ryan says NTA actively working on improved bus services to Loughrea

Minister Eamon Ryan has confirmed that the National Transport Authority is actively working on improved bus services to Loughrea. 
Following repeated questions from Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon, Minister Ryan went directly to the NTA for answers.  
Minister Ryan has now said under the Connecting Ireland Project, the NTA is currently working on a priority proposal. 
Deputy Cannon says it's been a major problem for far too long and it's good to finally see light at the end of the tunnel. 

Green Party Minister to officially launch Return Deposit Scheme in Galway

A Green Party Minister will be in the city this afternoon to officially launch the Return Deposit Scheme. 
The scheme began this month and sees customers get a deposit back by returning empty and undamaged containers sporting the "Re-Turn" logo. 
Minister of State Ossian Smyth will offically launch the scheme in Galway at Aldi in Westside this afternoon at 1pm. 
Green Party Chair and local Senator Pauline O' Reilly says it's a very important scheme. 

Catherine Connolly on putting pressure on Joe Biden and Israeli ambassador

Galway TDs demand Taoiseach use St Patrick's Day visit to "put pressure" on Joe Biden over Gaza

Two Galway TD's are demanding the Taoiseach uses his St. Patrick's Day trip to the US to "put pressure" on Joe Biden over the conflict in Gaza.
Deputy Noel Grealish told the Dáil he utterly condemns the attacks launched by Hamas on October 7th. 
But he says the death of 1,200 innocent people cannot equate with the further deaths of 30 thousand innocent civilians in Gaza. 

Wreath to be laid in Eyre Square to honour JFK on US Presidents Day

A wreath will be laid in Eyre Square tomorrow to honour the history of JFK and other American presidents.
Presidents Day is celebrated by The White House Historical Association on the third Monday of February every year.
In Galway, the history of JFK will be honored at the JFK memorial in Eyre Square, which commemorates his iconic visit in 1963.
A wreath will be laid tomorrow at 2pm by The Friends of the White House Historical Association in Ireland, with Mayor of Galway Eddie Hoare in attendance.
Darragh Bohan of The Friends of the WHHA In Ireland says it's important to celebrate important historical links.

Local TD slams RTÉ €450,000 exit package as unnacceptable

Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon says it's unacceptable that a former RTE Chief Financial Officer was given a 450-thousand euro exit package.
Following yesterday's revelation at the Oireachtas Media Committee, there are calls for CFO, Breda O’Keeffe, to hand back the money 
It was also revealed that RTE is also going to have to pay a tax liability due on the pay off. 
Speaking to Galway Talks, Deputy Cannon acknowledged the positives of the steps being taken by RTÉ

Disappointment as parts of Westside left out of Climate Action Plan

Newer residential parts of Westside are not included in projects under the City Council's new Climate Action Plan.
The plan aims to cut the city's carbon emissions by 90 percent by 2050, with one of the objectives to implement a retrofitting scheme for social housing.
Over 100 public submissions were received on the draft plan, and city councillors unanimously approved the plan at this week's meeting
Westside will be placed at the centre of a 'decarbonising zone' pilot project, however some new residential developments such as Laurel Park were left out.
Councillor John Connolly says that the project would be even more ambitious if all of Westside was covered: