The Irish economy is in the worst shape it has been since the 1930s. The Government coffers are bare and local authorities will not be getting the kind of massive grants for important projects they enjoyed over the last eight years.
Many projects will have to make do with receiving reduced finds. These will be the lucky ones. Many others will be stalled or simply never take off as there is no money for them - either from local or central Government.
It is easy - perhaps highly realistic - to be pessimistic about how much the city can develop over the 2009 - 2014 term of the new council that was voted in last weekend.
All councillors understand that the lack of finance will be a major barrier to getting things achieved, but refreshingly, in these bleak times, in conversation all displayed a determination to be positive and the need for progressive and creative thinking in dealing with the restraints imposed by the recession.
Mayor Pádraig Conneely is under no illusions about how difficult the next five years will be.
“It is going to be a horrendous council to be on,” he told the Galway Advertiser. “In the last six months I have seen finance dry up for projects we want done. It’s going to get worse and worse. We rely terribly on Government funding but there is little of it. We are not getting the same revenue from rates, development levies, and bins.”
Labour’s Derek Nolan, the city’s newly elected, and youngest councillor, also acknowledged the difficulties lying ahead, but refused to be pessimistic about what can be achieved.
“Jobs and the local economy are the only issue,” he said. “We must do whatever we can to help in these areas and also in infrastructure. People should be able to live in an area with facilities such as community centres, health clinics, and playgrounds.
“It will be strained and tough but where there is a will there is a way. There are things that are important no matter what the economic circumstances. The 1980s were bad economically and we still got some things done.”
Some might view Cllr Nolan’s comments as those of idealistic youth, but his Labour colleague, Cllr Billy Cameron, was also determined to be upbeat about what can be achieved.
“A major challenge will be to obtain sufficient funds to create a city with a better public transport system and reduce the gridlock,” he said. “This is a chance for all sides on the council to work together as a unified group. If we are to implement policy, we have to sit down and be positive, and do the hard work and promote the city.”
The Volvo Ocean Race stopover has proven to be one of the most successful events ever held in Galway. Over the May 23 to June 6 period it provided Galwegians of all ages with great entertainment and brilliant nights out. The stopover, and the good weather, gave a boost of optimism to the city. Some councillors feel there is a lesson to be learned from the experience, and one that is important to learn in these recessionary times.
“Over the last couple of weeks, the Volvo Ocean Race has raised the profile of Galway,” said Ollie Crowe, the new Fianna Fáil councillor for Galway City West. “A lot of people have said to me that being at the race made them feel like they could be anywhere in the world. We must not lose that.”
Cllr Cameron feels the event must be used as a spur to encourage a creative redevelopment of the entire docks area.
“We have to use the aftermath of the Volvo Ocean Race to promote Galway as a major tourist attraction,” he said. “We have to look at the development of our port in conjunction with Cea
