Galway Bay FM News Archives
‘Horse-trading’ continues in bid to elect Hildegarde Mayor
Date Published: 27-Jun-2011
By Dara Bradley
The ‘horse-trading’ between members of the ruling pact on Galway City Council will resume today (Tuesday) as the identity of the next first citizen of Galway remains uncertain, just over 24 hours ahead of the Mayoral election.
Councillor Hildegarde Naughton will be the Fine Gael nominee for Mayor at Wednesday’s election but it remains unclear whether she has the backing of all members of the Fianna Fáil/Fine Gael/Independent pact to secure the chain.
Negotiations aimed at resolving the impasse between Cllr Naughton and two members of the pact who oppose her, which were chaired by current Mayor Mike Crowe (FF), finished without agreement being reached last evening.
Mayor Crowe will once again attempt to broker a deal between Cllr Naughton and Cllrs Peter Keane (FF) and Donal Lyons (Ind), at meetings later today. They may need to meet again tomorrow as well if the issues aren’t ironed out by then.
Cllrs Lyons and Keane are seeking an apology, retraction and clarification from Cllr Naughton over comments she made at a meeting last January about elected members being in the pockets of developers.
The duo took umbrage at her statements in the Council chamber and also at later media comments in which she said she wouldn’t apologise or retract her remarks, which were not directed at any one individual.
It is understood that at last night’s meeting, each councillor ‘set out their stall’ and clarified their position.
It was cut short due to the Mayor having other commitments and it is understood another meeting will be needed today so that the trio can come up with a wording for a statement from Cllr Naughton – possibly not an apology but expression of ‘regret’ – that would allow the two councillors to vote for her as mayor without ‘losing face’.
Cllr Naughton can count on seven votes (Pádraig Conneely, Frank Fahey, Mike Crowe, Ollie Crowe, Terry O’Flaherty, Declan McDonnell and her own) but needs eight to be guaranteed a majority of the 15 councillors.
Labour’s five elected members will oppose her, as will Independent Councillor Catherine Connolly. If these six ‘left’ councillors can agree on a candidate, the vote for mayor would be as tight as it gets, meaning a resolution with Cllrs Keane and Lyons is vital to the outcome. Otherwise, the pact could collapse mid-term.
If the duo abstain, Cllr Naughton would be elected, but they have publicly indicated abstaining is not an option they will consider.
Cllr Naughton had no comment to make to the Sentinel ahead of the formal talks.
Mayor Crowe said he is hopeful a resolution that suits all sides, and which benefits the City and the local authority, can be brokered.
Read more in today’s Connacht Sentinel
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.
Families queue up for school’s offer of free house
West has lower cancer survival rates than rest
Galway minors continue to lay waste to all opponents
Gardaí and IFA issue a joint appeal on summer road safety
Marathon Man plans to call a halt – but not before he hits 160 races
