Galway Bay fm - News

Local TD lambasts government failure to deliver strategy on tackling Ash Dieback

Roscommon/Galway TD Claire Kerrane, has lamblasted the Government's failure to deliver a strategy for addressing ash dieback.
Farmers, forestry owners and representative organisations have called for a government response to the issue for some time, 
An independent review which has been published emphasises that the situation is now a national emergency.
Forestry Minister Pippa Hackett says a long-awaited action plan will be submitted for approval in the very near future. 
However, Sinn Féin Agriculture spokesperson Claire Kerrane says no solution has been made available for over five months

Councillors pour further pressure on Eamon Ryan over termination of Aircoach Galway-Dublin service

County Councillors are aiming to pour further pressure on Transport Minister Eamon Ryan over the termination of the Aircoach Galway-Dublin service. 
The operator says the multi-stop route is not commercially viable - and a previous Bus Eireann express service on the route was cancelled for the same reason. 
But at a meeting at County Hall this week, Councillor Evelyn Parsons says it's unacceptable to rely on commercial operators to provide essential public transport. 
She proposed they write to Minister Ryan and the NTA to emphasize the potentially devastating impact of the withdrawal of the Aircoach service. 
Minister Ryan has already been grilled in the Dáil on the matter - and gave an assurance that the NTA is actively assessing the situation. 
Councillor Parsons says it isn't good enough and Government have an obligation to the public. 

Mother and her two girls from Moycullen who died in Claremorris crash not yet named

The mother and her two young girls from the Moycullen area who died in yesterday's horrific Claremorris crash have not yet been named
Investigations are continuing into the deaths on the N17 at Castlegar near Claremorris at 2pm, when the car they were travelling in was in collision with an articulated fuel truck. 
The mother is aged in her 30s while the girls are understood to be a 13 year-old and a 10 year-old 
The woman's husband and father of the girls works abroad.
He has been informed of the tragedy and is now travelling home.
Transport Minister Eamon Ryan says Transport Infrastructure Ireland will carry out an inquest to see what can be learned from this crash:
 

Defibrillators donated to 7 hurling and camogie referees in East Galway in first of its kind initiative

Councillor Ivan Canning has donated defibrillators to 7 hurling and camogie referees in East Galway to bring to matches 
The Fianna Fáil councillor is not buying posters for his election campaign, and is instead using his own money to buy these defibrillators
He says his decision is based on his being an advocate for the environment and the success of buying a defibrillator for his local GAA club in his last campaign, which was also poster-free
Councillor Canning paid 2,800 euro for the 7 devices and purchased them from Galway company Smart Medical, who have trained the 7 referees in how to use them
Councillor Canning told Keith Finnegan on Galway Talks that this initiative is the first of its kind, and he hopes other areas will follow suit right across the country

Two young people to represent Galway at Dáil na nÓg in Leinster House tomorrow

Councillors demand complete overhaul of "red tape" surrounding septic tank grant scheme

County councillors are demanding a complete overhaul of the "red tape" surrounding the septic tank grant scheme. 
The national scheme - delivered through local authorities - aims to assist households in repairing, upgrading or replacing their septic tank system.
But a meeting at County Hall this week heard it has incredibly strict and unreasonable criteria, ruling out the vast majority of households. 
Councillor Andrew Reddington said the scheme is full of the same stuff that a septic tank normally holds. 
Councillor Geraldine Donohue raised the issue - and she says the amount of people actually eligible for the scheme is extremely limited. 

New 'Hydrocurtain' at Eglinton Canal proving extremely effective at tackling rubbish in waterway

A new 'hydrocurtain' installed at Eglinton Canal is proving extremely effective at tackling rubbish in the waterway. 
It's been installed at Ravens Terrace, beside Wolf Tone Bridge - and it's the first of its kind in the country.
Speaking to Galway Talks, Councillor Frank Fahy - who is Chair of the Lough Corrib Navigation Trustees - explained how it works. 

Connemara councillor Noel Thomas resigns from Fianna Fail

Connemara councillor Noel Thomas has announced his resignation from the Fianna Fail party. 
He says it wasn't a decision taken easily, but he feels the party is completely out of touch with the people. 
His resignation follows that of fellow Connemara Councillor Seamus Walsh, who gave similar reasons. 
Councillor Thomas told Galway Talks that while it's bittersweet, he's confident he's made the right decision. 

Mairead Farrell says students being priced out of student accommodation market due to reliance on vulture funds

Many students are being priced out of the student accommodation market because of Government over-reliance on vulture funds. 
That's according to Galway West TD Mairead Farrell, who told the Dáil this means that many students are effectively being locked-out of third level education. 
Sinn Fein Deputy Farrell said what students need is affordable and basic accommodation - but that's not what's being provided. 

Minister says need for additional services being examined following withdrawal of Aircoach Galway-Dublin service

Transport Minister Eamon Ryan says the need for additional services is being examined, following the withdrawal of the Aircoach Galway-Dublin service.
The service - the 706/706X - will stop operating next month because it's proven to not be commercially viable.
Raising the matter in the Dáil, Sinn Fein Deputy Mairead Farrell said it'll have a serious impact on rural connectivity along the route.
She said it was meant to fill a gap left by the termination of the Bus Eireann 20X20 service - but this latest failure highlights the folly of relying on private operators to fulfill public services.
Speaking in response, Minister Ryan said the matter is being looked at.