Galway Bay fm - News

Campaigners claim major win in fight against planned biogas plant in Gort

Campaigners in Gort are claiming a major win today in their fight against a planned biogas plant in the area.
Gort Biogas Concern Group and the Burren Lowlands took action in the High Court after the plans were approved by An Bord Pleanala. 
They would have seen a plant constructed around 800m from the town centre.
But the case has now been concluded with An Bord Pleanala conceding - in what campaigners say is a win for "common sense". 
Chair of Gort Biogas Concern Group is Ciaran O Donnell - he says this result couldn't have happened without local support:

Galway Senator Pauline O’Reilly labels sale of vapes to minors as reprehensible pursuit of profit

Galway Senator Pauline O'Reilly has labelled the sale of vapes to minors as a reprehensible pursuit of profit.
She made the claim during Seanad discussions on legislation to ban the sale of vapes and e-cigarettes to those under 18.
It also looks to place greater restrictions on the advertising and marketing of these products
Senator O'Reilly says the numbers of teenagers vaping is rising at an alarming rate, and both the industry and Government need to answer for it:

City event to explore creative and cultural industries in rural areas

An event exploring creative and cultural industries in rural areas is taking place in Galway city later this week (23/11)
Creativity in Regions on the Edge will host a research talk and an open discussion on the realities of doing creative work in areas outside of cities.
The event, organised by the University of Galway's UrbanLab, will take place at the Mick Lally Theatre at 6:30pm this Thursday
UrbanLab's Mark Rainey explains the aim of the event:

Local TD seeks meeting with Irish Water CEO over Kinvara boil notice

Local TD Ciaran Cannon has sought a meeting with the CEO of Irish Water about the long running Kinvara boil notice
He says he and other public representatives are not being informed as to why the boil water notice was imposed five weeks ago and what work is being done to lift it.
The Fine Gael Galway East TD says this poor communication shows Irish Water has no respect for their customers or their public representatives
Deputy Cannon says those at the helm of our national water utility need to take responsibility for this ridiculous delay and their inability to explain it
 

Deadline looms for registration to attend annual public meeting of Galway City Policing Commitee

The annual public meeting of the Galway City Joint Policing Committee is to take place next week.
Members of the public are welcome to put questions to the committee and have their views heard.
However, they must inform the city council of their attendance by tomorrow (nov 21)
The meeting will take place in Ballinfoile/Castlegar Neighbourhood Centre this day week at 7pm. (Nov 27th)
City JPC Chairman Councillor Niall Mc Neils says it's an opportunity to highlight issues in your community: 

27 Men’s Sheds in Galway to get government funding

27 Men's Sheds across Galway are to get government funding
They are included in a new one million euro fund announced by Minister Heather Humphreys
A total of 435 facilities will receive grants of up to 3 three euro
The funding is designed to assist with running costs such as heating, electricity, utility and insurance bills
Chief Executive of the Irish Men's Sheds Association, Enda Egan says the sheds play a vital in their communities:

Demand for action as railway station in Tuam being used as ”drinking den”

There's demand for Irish Rail to take immediate action as a "landmark building" in Tuam is being used as a "drinking den".
Councillor Andrew Reddington says various rooms in the old railway station are strewn with empty cans, spirit bottles and rubbish. 
This includes the former Railway Kitchen restaurant, which has been closed for a number of years. 
He says it appears to be mainly young people, though there are concerns older people are also drinking there at times. 
Councillor Reddington says Irish Rail need to secure the building immediately. 

Major ’Hydrogen Valley’ planned at Galway Docks still on track as councillors to receive briefing

A major 'Hydrogen Valley' planned at Galway Docks is still on track, with city councillors to receive a full briefing in the near future. 
The plans to develop a green hydrogen fuel hub were launched by Tanaiste Micheal Martin last year. 
It's led by a consortium consisting of Port of Galway, University of Galway, Bus Eireann, Aran Island Ferries, Lasta Mara Teo, Aer Arann Islands and SSE Renewables. 
At a meeting at City Hall, the CEO of the Port of Galway agreed to give councillors a full presentation on the current status of the project, in due course. 
Councillor John Connolly says this is a hugely ambitious project. 

Local Sinn Féin TD pushes for one authority to manage the River Shannon

Local Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane has urged the government to advance her party's legislation to establish a single authority for the River Shannon.
This comes as Galway, Offaly and Roscommon farmers along the Shannon Callows are experiencing the longest ever summer flood, with thousands of hectares of land still under water. 
The Galway-Roscommon TD says that the current management system for the Shannon is not working. 

Digital intimacy and STI awareness among events focus of SHAG Week at UG

Digital intimacy, sexual positivity and STI awareness will be focused on at SHAG Week in the University of Galway from tomorrow.
The Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance Week will also offer free STI clinics, including rapid HIV and Syphilis testing by Sexual Health West
Students' Union President Dean Kenny says it's important that students can have an open dialogue regarding their sexual health.