Galway Bay fm newsroom – Galway West TD Eamon O’ Cuiv is calling for a special fund to raise roads in remote coastal areas.

Speaking in the Dáil, he said some areas are impassable at high tide – and this problem is only going to get worse into the future.

He acknowledged some places along the coast are recognised as islands because it happens every day – but many other areas are not.

Deputy O’ Cuiv accepted some people think the required spend is too big when it concerns such a small number of people.

But he argued once the work is done, it’s done forever – and the value is there for what amounts to small money.

Galway Bay fm newsroom – Chief Fire Officer for Galway, Gerry O Malley has confirmed no residential damage was caused by last night’s gorse fire outside Galway city.

Fire services attended the scene of the fire at 4PM yesterday in an area of commanage between the townlands of Tonabrocky and Boleybeg.

A section of the Rahoon Road was closed to traffic for a time, and it’s understood services from the city, Athenry and An Ceathrú Rua attended the scene.

Speaking to Galway Talks, Chief Gerry O Malley gave an update of the situation:

Galway Bay fm newsroom – The Government’s lacklustre scheme to support landowners affected by Ash Dieback is damaging confidence in the sector.

Ash Dieback was first detected in 2012 – and in 2020, Government launched a scheme to support landowners to remove affected trees and replace them with another species.

But it doesn’t provide compensation for lost income – and many organisations argue it also doesn’t even cover the costing of clearing and replanting.

Sinn Fein Deputy Claire Kerrane says it’s vital that greater support is provided to ensure confidence in the sector.

And she welcomed a comment from Minister Pippa Hacket that she will look at reviewing the scheme this year.