Galway Bay FM News Archives
D-Day for Galway Airport – but Cabinet is not for turning
Date Published: 25-May-2011
Today is D-Day for Galway Airport as its board makes a last ditch attempt to prevent the Government from ‘pulling the plug’ on funding, which would close the facility – but sources close to the Cabinet say the Minister for Transport Leo Varadkar is ‘not for turning’.
Representatives of the board of the airport and Galway Chamber, its majority shareholder, as well as all Galway Oireachtas members, will meet with Minister Varadkar and officials later today (Thursday) – it is the last chance to persuade the Government to support the airport through operational subvention (OPEX) funds. Without over €1 million OPEX, the facility will not be able to remain open.
Department of Transport officials held a briefing with Galway’s Labour and Fine Gael TDs on Tuesday where they expressed scepticism about the airport’s revised business plan, which is premised on almost doubling passenger numbers as well as more cost cutting.
Sources close to Cabinet say the decision to close Galway Airport has already been taken at a Cabinet meeting this week. “The Government has already made the decision to close the airport – they may fund a ‘winding down’ process but they will not give the OPEX funding,” the source said. This is in line with the Minister’s recent public utterances against providing state support for certain airports.
But Galway West TD Brian Walsh (FG) said this was not the case. “No decision has yet been made – the Cabinet is meeting next Monday and I belive that’s when it will be discussed,” he said.
See full story in this week’s Connacht Tribune.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
Galway has a population of young people which is more than twice the national average.
According to information gathered by the Central Statistics Office, Galway’s population of 20 to 24 year olds is more than twice the national average.
The number of 25-34 year olds in Galway is also more than the norm nationally, with the two main colleges thought to be the main reason.
However immigration in Galway is much higher than in other areas at 19.4 percent, compared to the national average of 12 percent.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A city councillor is encouraging people to donate goods directly to charity shops.
It follows allegations of thefts from clothes banks in Galway and across the country in recent months.
However, cameras are in place at some clothes banks and surveillance is carried out by local authorities.
Speaking on Galway Talks, Councillor Neil McNeilis said the problem of theft from clothes banks is widespread.
Date Published: 07-May-2013
A park ‘n’ ride scheme from Carnmore into Galway city could become a permanent service if there is public demand.
That’s according to the Chief Executive of Galway Chamber of Commerce, Michael Coyle.
The pilot scheme will begin at 7.20 next Monday morning, May 13th.
Motorists will be able to park cars at the airport carpark in Carnmore and avail of a bus transfer to Forster Street in the city.
Buses will depart every 20 minutes at peak times and every 30 minutes at offpeak times throughout the day, at a cost of 2 euro per journey.
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