Why workers need protections more than ever

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

One of the basic lessons from the pandemic is how interconnected we are - your mask protects me, mine protects you. Early outbreaks of Covid in meat-processing factories - where workers cannot practice social distancing - were exacerbated by the fact these low-income workers lack sick pay. Unable to afford to (willingly) forego wages, workers masked symptoms, hoped for the best, and clocked in, with disastrous results.

With funding at crisis levels, merging the county and city councils must be considered

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

It is with some bemusement that I noted the recent contributions in Seanad Éireann regarding the future of local authority arrangements in Galway and, in particular, the voicing of opposition to the amalgamation of the Galway county and city councils.

Mother and Baby Home Commission cannot be wound up while questions remain, says Hanley

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

The chance to find out why more than 500 testimonies of survivors of the Mother and Baby Homes were destroyed will be lost unless the commission of investigation is extended by another year.

Transport Minister pledges to protect the Western Rail Corridor for rail use only

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

At a meeting of the Northern and Western Regional Assembly last Friday attended by the Minister for Transport Eamonn Ryan, members questioned the Minister on the future of the Western Rail Corridor north of Athenry.

Adrian Curran selected as People Before Profit’s Galway representative

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Adrian Curran has been selected as the People Before Profit local area representative for Galway by the party's members in the city and county.

The joys of walking in nature

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Over the last year, COVID has forced most of the population of Ireland to spend an unprecedented amount of their time at home. Cut off from family, friends and colleagues and unable to travel, home has changed from not only being our domestic abode but to also becoming our workplace, our gym and our play zone. But squeezing so much under one roof 24/7 is not easy and it can, if we allow it to, feel too often like a prison.

Most Irish people have never experienced this type of containment and isolation in their lifetimes. Concerns over mental and physical health issues have increased. This is not surprising as the human species is a communal animal; we need to socialise, to engage, to enjoy and to be challenged by the presence of others. Yet we also have to realise too that we suffer if we cut ourselves of from the natural world. Our disconnect with the rest of Nature after all has led to Climate Chaos and the present pandemic.

Learn to play guitar from home

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

On-line one-to-one guitar lessons in the comfort of your home, at a time and date that suits you. What could be easier? Make the most of your lockdown time and get started today.

Guitar Made Easy online lessons are suitable for all ages, and cater for complete beginners and improvers.

Unleash your adventurous side… from the comfort of your couch

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Enjoy an evening of virtual adventures delivered straight to your armchair, with the Virtual Adventure Film Festival, March 11-12.

advertiser In brief...

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Donoghue welcomes funding to remove Sliabh Aughty waste

Gaillimh le Gaeilge makes two key appointments to board

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Maeve Joyce Crehan and Mary Rodgers have been appointed as two new Gaillimh le Gaeilge board members.

The right to disconnect

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Q: The government recently launched a national remote work strategy, Making Remote Work. One of the things that stood out for me was the ‘right to disconnect’. I believe most of us are struggling to do that. Some employers are not helping by demanding and expecting us to be ‘on’ all the time. This mentality, government plan or not, is going to take some time to change. How can we start moving in the right direction, and be efficient while doing our job (BC, email).

Cannon welcomes feasability report for Gort Lowlands Flood Relief Scheme

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Fine Gael Deputy Ciaran Cannon has welcomed the publication of a feasibility report for Gort Lowlands Flood Relief Scheme by the OPW and Galway Co. Council.

Full houses for online greenway meetings as interest in plan reaches fever pitch

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

The massive interest in the Athlone to Galway Greenway was illustrated by the packed attendances at a series of online meetings last week organsied by Sen Aisling Dolan and Minister Anne Rabbitte.

Galway hoteliers call for urgent additional supports to safeguard jobs

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

Hotel and guesthouse owners in Galway are calling for an urgent review of business and employment supports for the hospitality sector following the announcement at the weekend that it is unlikely to reopen before mid-summer.

Let’s recover the night-time

Thu, Feb 25, 2021

When the Justice Minister spoke earlier this week about her plans to extend the opening hours and to create measures to stimulate the nighttime economy, I was reminded of just how much this would impact Galway in particular, because of its role as a party capital and cultural hub.

The new proposals to reform licensing laws when they emerge sometime in 2022, will see sstaggered and extended closing times for licensed venues, pubs and nightclubs. Sunday trading hours will be brought in line with the rest of the week for pubs and off-licences. Currently during non-Covid periods, pubs are required to close at 11pm on Sundays, while off-licences can sell alcohol until 10pm.

Swimmer rescued after getting into difficulty off Salthill

Sat, Feb 20, 2021

Galway RNLI Lifeboat rescued a swimmer who got into difficulty off Blackrock beach in Salthill this afternoon, Saturday.

Kyne calls for island populations to be vaccinated at same time

Thu, Feb 18, 2021

All people living on the Islands off Galway must be vaccinated on the same visit as it makes "no sense" to carry out a "handful of vaccinations", and still leave the rest of the community exposed to Covid-19.

Four to be charged over ‘Golfgate’ dinner, say Gardai

Thu, Feb 18, 2021

Four people are set to be charged in connection with the Oireachtas Golf Society’s dinner in Galway last August.

Naughton reveals details of €12 million sustainable transport programme

Thu, Feb 18, 2021

Minister Hildegarde Naughton has revealed further details of the €12 million sustainable transport package for Galway funded by her Department last week.

Politicians urged to press for speedy funding allocation for Newcastle Community Centre

Thu, Feb 18, 2021

Newcastle/Dangan residents are calling on local politicians to take action to speed up the allocation of funding for a community centre for the area. It has a population of more than 6,000 people and is equivalent in size to Ballinasloe or Westport.

They say they are disappointed with the delay in the process as they have been waiting six months for the expected announcement.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.