Galway Bay fm - News

Minister claims ”no demand” for closed day centre in Carraroe

It's claimed that there is "no demand" for the closed day centre at Aras Mhic Dara in Carraroe. 
Minister Mary Butler was responding to a question from Galway West TD Catherine Connolly in the Dáil. 
She said staff are now in a position to open it one day a week but the demand for the service "has not been there". 
Deputy Connolly said the HSE has been providing an unreliable narrative from the very start of the closure, three years ago. 

Increasing Galway County Council funding top of agenda for new Chairperson Liam Carroll

Call for inter-agency meeting to deal with parking and littering issues at Connemara beaches

There is a call for an inter-agency meeting to be held to discuss a number of issues at beaches across Connemara.
Councillor Eileen Mannion says there are problems regarding parking, littering and camping at beaches, especially at peak times.
She is calling on Galway County Council, National Parks and Wildlife Service and An Garda Siochana to come up with a plan to deal with these issues.
Cllr. Mannion outlines the main concerns she wants to see addressed:
 

Galway Senator Pauline O’Reilly aims to run for European Elections

Galway Senator Pauline O'Reilly is putting herself forward for selection for the European Elections in Midlands North West.
Senator O'Reilly was elected to the Seanad in 2020, and was elected Chair of the Green Party last year.
The Green Party Senator wants to become an MEP to fight for environmental issues for the West at european level.
Senator O'Reilly believes there is a need for more Green representation in Europe.

Councillor Eddie Hoare is elected Mayor of Galway City

Fine Gael Councillor and former Galway Senior Footballer Eddie Hoare has been elected Mayor of Galway following yesterday’s Annual General Meeting of the City Council.
Councillor Hoare was first elected as a councillor in 2019 and at 35, is one of the youngest representatives ever to be selected as the first citizen of the city.
Non-party Councillor Donal Lyons has been elected as the Deputy Mayor. Councillor Lyons served as Mayor of Galway City on two occasions from 2001 to 2002 and 2014 to 2015.
Eddie assumes office as part of a pact involving Fine Gael, Labour, the Green Party and several Independents and immediately succeeds party colleague Clodagh Higgins in the role.
The newly elected Mayor spoke to John Mulligan immediately after his election this evening.

Taoiseach urged to publish all-island rail review as Galway projects stalled

The Taoiseach is being implored to urgently publish the stalled all-island rail review so that vital projects in Galway can move forward
The review, which began in early 2021, aims to help develop a strategy for the creation of an enhanced rail network across Ireland. 
But while the review has been completed it cannot be published due to the ongoing lack of an executive in Northern Ireland. 
Deputy Ciaran Cannon told Leo Varadkar many vital projects in Galway cannot progress due to the unacceptable delay. 

Taoiseach urged to publish all-island rail review as Galway projects stalled

The Taoiseach is being implored to urgently publish the stalled all-island rail review so that vital projects in Galway can move forward
The review, which began in early 2021, aims to help develop a strategy for the creation of an enhanced rail network across Ireland. 
But while the review has been completed it cannot be published due to the ongoing lack of an executive in Northern Ireland. 
Deputy Ciaran Cannon told Leo Varadkar many vital projects in Galway cannot progress due to the unacceptable delay. 

Catherine Connolly says debates on healthcare like ”groundhog day”

Debates around healthcare in Ireland feel like "groundhog day" because the system is still in a complete shambles after years of promises. 
That's according to Galway West TD Catherine Connolly. 
She says Sláintecare - the planned reform of the health system - was developed as an answer to the overcrowding and waiting lists crises. 
But she argues that hasn't happened and we're still in a complete and utter mess. 
Deputy Connolly feels a completely abnormal and unacceptable situation is being normalised. 

Mairead Farrell critical of Government failure to abolish sub-minimum wage

Galway West TD Mairead Farrell says it's hard to fathom how the Government has not abolished the sub-minimum wage. 
The national minimum wage is €11.30, but those under the age of 20 are not entitled to the full amount. 
A 19 year old is entitled to 90% of the minimum wage, an 18 year old to 80%, and a 17 year old to just 70%. 
Sinn Fein Deputy Farrell says it's crazy that this system has been allowed to continue, when it's been abolished in many other EU countries. 
And she said now more than ever, with the cost of living crisis, it needs to be looked at. 

Calls on Government to invest in improving public spaces in Galway

The Government is being urged to immediately invest in improving community spaces across Galway
City councillor Niall McNelis says there's a need for sensory play areas in all playground to enure equal participation for all children.
He also argues the lack of toilet and seating facilities in public parks is a major issue.
Councillor McNelis says spending money on these things would help improve access for all