Galway Talks - with John Morley

Morley's Mouthfuls - This week on Galway Talks

We love talking about infrastructure in Galway and roads in particular. Even if for the most part it is giving out about inertia and long delays for vital projects.

There was a welcome boost right across the board this week in that regard with the announcement of the multi-billion euro revised National Development Plan. While there was debate between Government and opposition as to how much of this was brand new investment.

We will however have to wait until budget day to see what specific projects will have made it into the plan. The ring road (with ACP at the moment) should be there, along with other major projects, but can we see new major infrastructure announcements like the Claregalway bypass or a Gluas line for the city?

Speaking of the budget, we have been hearing there will be no once off cost of living supports but that does not necessarily mean you can expect much in the line of tax cuts.

The best case scenario Summer Economic Statement released by Government says that after taking into account the VAT reduction for hospitality to 9% there will only be half a billion to play with for income tax reductions.

Now, should the US impose tariffs for 30% on the EU, it is very uncertain what relief measures Government will have the will, or the purse strings to deliver. The hospitality sector for their part seem to view the statement with suspicion, arguing that certain quarters never wanted to reduce VAT.

The situation in Gaza has stayed to the forefront of news internationally, nationally and locally and we saw the horrifying scenes from hospitals in the region with dozens of children dying of starvation and malnutrition. Karol Balfe the CEO of Action Aid told us what the situation is like for volunteers and people on the ground.

We also had a great day out in London for our Community Matters series all about the Galway Diaspora in the UK Capital with thanks to Ireland West Airport. Next Friday it is the turn of Westside.

Galway Talks with John Morley Thursday July 24th

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley: 

9am-10am

• We speak to Minister Emer Higgins as opposition hit out at lack of detail in the National Development Plan
• Emergency rally for Gaza to take place in Galway City
• World Drowning Prevention day is tomorrow

10am-11am

• Adult dies with listeria as FSAI investigates outbreak
• COPE Galway at Galway International Arts Festival First Thought Talks
• MARS comes to the Galway International Arts Festival

11am-12pm

• Sports Preview 
• Pet Corner 
• Music Mornings - Max T Barnes

Galway Talks with John Morley Wednesday July 23rd

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley: 

9am-10am 

• Hospitality boost in Budget to shrink workers' tax cuts  

• We hear the latest after a Public meeting was held in Monivea over solar farm development 

10am-11am

• Gaza hospital says 21 children died from malnutrition, starvation over three days
• Galway organic farmer issues plea to buy produce amid bumper harvest    

• New age verification rules for online platforms in place 

• 1 in 12 people in Ireland have hearing loss 

11am-12pm

• Financial advice with Dave McCarthy

• Night in Nighthawks comes to Massimos 

• History Talks - Ancient nobles’ ringfort revealed by archaeologists in Galway 

Galway Talks with John Morley Tuesday July 22nd

 

Today on Galway Talks: 

9am-10am 

• All elements of revised National Development Plan finalised  

• Hauliers accuse the RSA of massaging the driver test figures by moving testers around  

• Woman to climb Knockma for the 796th time to honour all 796 babies who are unaccounted for from the Tuam Mother and baby home  

10am-11am

• Claregalway houses get green light despite any progress on a proposed bypass  

• Over 300 derelict properties across Galway set to be turned into homes as funding of €2.1m approved  

11am-12pm

• Talk on "Ireland's Macchu Pitchu" to take place in Galway City Museum  

• Evergreen slot  

• Music Mornings - Enda Scahill 

Galway Talks with John Morley Monday July 21st

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley 

9am-10am 

• We’re live from the festival garden and will be hearing all about whats happening for week two of the International Arts Festival  

• Govt plans to inject additional €30bn into infrastructure 

10am-11am

• Galway pumping station approved for additional storage development following protracted application 

• Sports Review  

11am-12pm

Community Matters: Glinsk

Today on Community Matters: Glinsk

9am-10am 

• We hear locals favourite stories of the area
• Current affairs
• History

10am-11am

• More stories from locals
• Fundraising and community development
• Local organisations

11am-12pm 

• Sport
• Music

Morley's Mouthfuls - This week on Galway Talks

Is the Crown Square rolling story finally over? Galway City Council will hope so. They quite emphatically put their colours to the mast over monetary evaluations over remaining in city hall and the move out to Mervue pointing out that their valuations show the move is justified.

Only two councillors voted against the move and (similarly to the original vote on the move to Crown Square) asked for more time on information on the 60 million euro loan which will be made in repayments over three decades.

Some questions still remain. The breakdown of the costs involved for one. These may be subject to commercial sensitivities but no doubt they will be followed up on by politicians and journalists alike. The Department still has to give the go ahead. But also there is the question of loan repayments. At over 3 million euro a year will the taxpayers of the city be expected to foot the bill? It will make Commercial Rates and LPT changes into the future very interesting.

Endometriosis care was brought to the forefront in the Dáil this week. Sinn Féin brought forward a motion following on from engagement with women suffering with the condition via the means of a survey.

While the Government didn’t back the measures brought forward by the main opposition party (standard practice) it certainly has brought the need for a look at this aspect of women’s healthcare in the spotlight once again.

On Galway Talks we have covered the topic regularly on the programme in recent years, with one contributor raising money to fund treatment abroad. Galway advocate Katie Coughlan spoke of her lived experience while Sinn Féin TD Mairead Farrell gave her party’s stance on the best way to provide treatment for those impacted by endometriosis.

Galway sadly lost a legend of the music scene this week. Shantalla native Bernard ‘Mack’ McNamara passed away and his passing was met by an outpouring of emotion and tributes. We were joined on the programme by the Mayor of Galway City Mike Cubbard and Gary Monroe of Monroe’s to pay respects to one of the King’s of Music in Galway.

And if you enjoyed our Community Matters show from Glinsk then brace yourselves and pack your bags... Next up on Friday the 25th of July is Community Matters London, live from the London Irish Centre in Camden.

Galway Talks with John Morley Thursday July 17th

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley

9am-10am

• Government to consider use of camera to detect drivers using phones or not wearing seatbelt 

• Calls for government to address 25% turnover in Galway by giving Early Years and School Age Care graduates pay parity with primary teachers 

• Second Draft to be staged as part of the new arts festival, West-End Theatre and Arts Festival (WTAF) 

10am-11am

• Approval for Oughterard footbridge project  

• Major increase in callers to Childline reporting physical and sexual abuse  

• Final episode of Powering Prosperity 

11am-12pm

• CULTURE CORNER - New Exhibition at The Kenny Gallery celebrates Joe O’Shaughnessy’s Druid  

• Sports preview  

• Music Mornings - Mary Coughlan 

Galway Talks with John Morley Wednesday July 16th

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley:

9am-10am

• Galway West TD Catherine Connolly to launch Áras bid later today
• Sinn Féin’s Dáil motion seeking to improve access to endometriosis care
• 20th Annual Frances Thornton Memorial Galway Bay Swim Set for Saturday

10am-11am

• Tributes paid following the passing of renowned Galway singer Bernard McNamara
• Motoring slot
• European Commission to propose merging CAP funding with other funds

11am-12pm

• Financial Advice with Dave McCarthy
• Curlew birds to be released on Lough Corrib as part of conservation project
• History Talks - Galway artist unfolding forgotten stories of the old Tuam sugar factory

Galway Talks with John Morley Tuesday July 15th

Today on Galway Talks with John Morley:

9am-10am

• We’ll have the latest on the councils move to crown square
• Human Rights organisation slams calls for asylum seekers to pay rent
• Galway writer nominated for world fantasy award

10am-11am

• We’ll be speaking to Minister Neale Richmond
• 129 fewer pubs in Galway while over 2,100 pubs have closed since 2005, new report finds
• We hear about Forogie’s youth mentoring programme

11am-12pm

• Caherlistrane native to take on charity challenge for sick children and his daughter
• Government expenditure up as National Development Plan nears publication
• Music Mornings - Sulk Hogan