Search Results for 'Jim Higgins'

The creation of a municipal art gallery and a large scale venue for major concerts and events is vital if Galway is to put in a serious challenge for the title of European Capital of Culture.

Fine Gael’s Jim Higgins and Máiréad McGuinness will seek to retain their Brussels seats following selection as the party’s EU candidates for the Midlands-North-West constituency.

City councillors have voted unanimously to remove the controversial proposal for a bus corridor through Merlin Woods from the Galway City Development Plan.

As storms continue to bombard Galway city and coastline the bill for the cost of repairs, continues to rise with an extra €135,000, on top of the original estimation of €1.3 million, needed to reinstate and improve rock armour.

The European Commission is to examine the proposed Merlin Bus Corridor to see if it complies with the EU Habitats Directive, that is according to Midlands-North West MEP Jim Higgins who will be visiting the Merlin Woods site this coming Saturday.

MEP Jim Higgins has rowed in on the pylon debate, warning that the people of rural Ireland are feeling “ignored, isolated and unrepresented”.

Mayo based North-west MEP Jim Higgins this week met with EU Commissioner Johannes Hahn to discuss Ireland accessing funding from the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF) to help with the clean-up following the recent storms. The cost of clean-up and restoration in Mayo alone has been projected to be at least €4.5 million by the local authority here. Speaking after his meeting with Commissioner Hahn, Higgins said: “If ever a country deserved solidarity funding, Ireland does. Commissioner Hahn controls the EU Solidarity Fund (EUSF), a fund which I believe we can access to secure, badly needed, funding to build adequate flood defences and rebuild our destroyed infrastructure."

Ireland North West MEP, Jim Higgins this week has said that there is funding available at European level to help with the clean-up following last week’s series of storms. The Mayo based MEP said: “I have already been in contact with the Commission, and funding is available at EU level for the clean-up but the Government must apply immediately. I’ve studied the application form and received guarantees that DG Regional Policy will be on hand to assist with an Irish application.”

The storm may have passed but the work has only just begun for both Galway city and county councils which now face the daunting task of assessing the full extent of the damage. A report is due to be sent by both local authorities to central Government next week seeking emergency funding which is vital if the necessary repairs are to be carried out.

The Europe Direct Centre at Ballinasloe Library is organising its annual soapbox competition and is calling for entries over the next two weeks from the people of Galway. The competition is broken up into two categories, one for adults and one for under 18 years. This year’s event will once again take place in the Westside Library in Galway city on Friday November 15 at 8pm.