Galway Bay fm - News

Gerry Stronge is a local business owner - and he feels it’s the wrong call and Ballinasloe should be part of Galway East.

Leah Hogarty has been in Ballinasloe today to get some reaction from locals there.

Ciaran Cannon disappointed Dáil constituency review does not restore county borders in East Galway

Galway East TD Ciaran Cannon is voicing disappointment that a long-awaited review on Dáil constituencies does not fully restore the county boundaries. 
The Electoral Commission has recommended that Galway East be increased to a four-seater constituency. 
But while many areas previously part of Roscommon-Galway will return to Galway East, others like Ballinasloe are to remain in Roscommon-Galway despite speculation to the contrary. 
Overall, to reduce breaches of county borders, considerable numbers of people are to be transferred from Roscommon-Galway to Galway East; Sligo-Leitrim to Roscommon-Galway; and Galway West to South Mayo. 
Deputy Cannon said there are positives and negatives to the recommendations released this morning.

Surprise as review recommends Ballinasloe remain in Roscommon-Galway constituency

A long-awaited review of Dáil constituencies nationwide is recommending that Ballinasloe remain in the Roscommon-Galway constituency. 
It had been speculated that the review by The Electoral Commission would recommend that the town return to Galway East. 
However, other areas will return to Galway East and overall, the review recommends that more than 16 thousand people currently in the Roscommon-Galway constituency be moved to Galway East. 
And the biggest change is that Galway East would be increased from a three-seater to a four-seater constituency. 
There could also be more than 8,500 people moved from Sligo-Leitrim to Roscommon-Galway, and 6 thousand people transferred from Galway West to Mayo.
Galway East TD Sean Canney told Galway Talks there will be mixed local reaction overall to this morning's recommendations. 

Airbnb travel added €54m and 830 jobs in Galway last year

Travel on Airbnb was worth €54m to the Galway economy last year, with the platform creating 830 jobs across the city and county.
A report from Oxford Economics has revealed the West saw the largest proportion of Airbnb-linked employment last year.
The short-term letting company reportedly boosted the Irish economy by 500 million euro in 2022.
However, the news has been met with criticism from an expert who believes it's fueling the housing crisis by allowing landlords to put up short lets in rent pressure zones.
Dr. Rory Hearne, Assistant Professor in Social Policy at Maynooth University, says he's seeing students locally struggling to find private rooms to rent long-term:

Midlands North West MEP brands delay to allocation of extra seat as ’ridiculous’

Claims ”common sense” prevailed as works underway to widen Roscam junction

"Common sense" has prevailed as works are underway to widen a junction in Roscam. 
That's according to Councillor Alan Cheevers - as the access point at Spar is being widened after initially being reduced to accommodate active travel works. 
Councillor Cheevers says no-one is against active travel works whatsoever - but the junction is the only access point in and out of almost 800 homes. 
He argues leaving it the way it was would have created absolute traffic chaos in the area at peak times. 
And he told Galway Talks it's just a case of common sense. 

Councillor says e-scooters a ”scourge” across city due to lack of regulation

A city councillor says e-scooters are a "scourge" on our roads and footpaths due to lack of regulation. 
Councillor Niall McNelis has been speaking to Galway Talks as Paris is set to bring in a ban on rental e-scooters in the coming days. 
He says while we don't have a problem with rental e-scooters here, regulation is badly needed on their general use. 
Legislation has been passed by Government here but it will be several months before regulations are in place. 
Councillor McNelis says regulating these devices is key. 

Sean Canney calls for additional overtime funding for Gardai across the country

Galway East TD Sean Canney is calling on Government to provide additional overtime funding to Gardai across the country, not just in Dublin. 
While Deputy Canney welcomes the announcement to provide a boost of €10 million for overtime in Dublin, he says more needs to be done.
The Independent TD adds that the absence of a Garda presence on the ground is a serious concern, especially in rural areas. 
He acknowledges that Dublin has its own issues, but crime is an issue throughout the country:

University of Galway Students Union launches Life Skills training for students

University of Galway has launched a range of life skills training courses for the upcoming academic year. 
Courses on offer include heart saver AED training, mental health awareness classes and financial resilience training. 
These courses are subsudised by the Student Union, with all details of courses and prices available on their website.
Student Union President, Dean Kenny, explains the importance of these courses and how you can sign up: