Galway Bay FM News Archives
Row over new Mayor is settled by FG HQ
Date Published: 16-May-2011
BY ENDA CUNNINGHAM
The row over the Mayoral chain between two city Fine Gael councillors has been settled, following an intervention from party headquarters.
It has been agreed that Hildegarde Naughton will be the ‘Mayoral Pact’ nominee for the next Mayor of Galway, when a vote is held next month.
However, it’s understood that the pact (between the three Fine Gael and three Fianna Fáil and the three former PD councillors) could be facing collapse unless Cllr Naughton apologises for an accusation she made last January that her colleagues were “doing the bidding” of “elite vested interests” when it came to land rezoning decisions.
But she said yesterday there would be no apologies for her comments.
“I make no apologies. I made my stance very clear on planning issues and what my reasons were. I believe it was the right thing to do and continue to believe that,” she told the Sentinel yesterday (Monday).
Last week, Fine Gael’s General Secretary asked Deputy Brian Walsh to intervene in the row, because it was seen by angry Fine Gaelers as “an embarrassment to the party”.
Under the terms of a Mayoral Pact agreed in 2009, Cllr Naughton was due to serve as Mayor for 2011-12. However, following the election of Brian Walsh to the Dáil and subsequent co-option of Frank Fahy to the City Council, Cllr Padraig Conneely entered a separate deal which would see him elected Mayor – for the second time in four years.
However, the matter was resolved on Sunday at a meeting with Brian Walsh and FG Constituency Chairperson Enda Howley – Cllr Naughton will be the party nominee for Mayor next month. They have also agreed to support Cllr Terry O’Flaherty for Mayor in 2012-13 with Frank Fahy as Deputy Mayor, while Cllr Conneely will be the nomination for Mayor in 2013-14.
For more, read this week’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.
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Galway minors continue to lay waste to all opponents
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