Councillors say the Galway County Council should not collect Irish Water debts

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

There was consternation among some councillors at this weeks meeting of the Galway County Council over reports that local authorities will be forced to collect debts on behalf of Irish Water.

Tuam district councillor Shaun Cunniffe claimed that a briefing document available online sets out that councils will be asked to collect unpaid water charges from council tenants on behalf of the utility company. A statement by Irish Water which is outlined below has since confirmed that this will indeed be the case. Councillor Cunniffe proposed and passed a motion to object to this practice which he labelled as outrageous, and this was seconded by Independent councillor James Charity. ‘’We have a situation where the Minister in charge of the water fiasco [Phil Hogan], made a mess of the legislation and has now gone to Europe. If this was to happen, it would basicially see the county council stepping into the role of debt collector acting as a third party debt collector on behalf of Irish Water. Many council tenants are enraged at this.’’

Councillors support free parking across the county for the month of December

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

’This is our time to stand up and deliver for small struggling businesses right across County Galway.’’ The words of Fine Gael councillor Jimmy McClearn who spoke passionately on behalf of the local business community at Monday’s meeting of the Galway county council.

Charity lashes cost of renovated county council chamber

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

A price tag of more than €450,000 for renovating the council chamber in County Buildings is “outrageous” and never should have needed to cost that much.

Des Joyce co-opted onto Galway County Council

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Galway county councillors paid warm tributes to Des Joyce after he was co-opted on to the council at this week’s local authority meeting. Mr Joyce fills the seat which was left vacant by Independent representative Michael Fitzmaurice following his elevation to the Dail. Mr Fitzmaurice was elected to the county council earlier this year to represent the Tuam municipal district but won the Dail by-election held in Roscommon/South Leitrim following the departure of Luke ‘Ming’ Flanagan to Europe.

Crowe seeks new sentencing laws for burglary

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

The rate of burglaries has shot up by 14 per cent over the last five years, but the Government “has done nothing to counter this” and seems “entirely unaware of the scale of the problem”.

Maryam Mosque to hold open day this Saturday

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Ireland will hold an open day at its new Maryam Mosque on the Old Monivea Road, next week.

Leading Spanish designers come to Belladonna

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

This week sees Marta and Terese Raich Farre of Novia D’Art and Fara Sposa make their annual trip to Ireland. As Belladonna is their main and leading stockist this renowned bridal shop is honoured to host these lovely designers. As well as being present in the shop giving their expert advice Belladonna will have a very large and extended collection of the Novia D'Art and Fara Sposa 2015 dresses. This will be an opportunity to see this fabulous collection not seen elsewhere in Ireland or the UK. The dresses can be seen in Belladonna until Sunday November 30. Marta and Terese Raich Farre will be in attendance on Friday and Saturday to meet brides.

Bruce Betting growth continues with opening of second shop in Galway

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Bruce Betting are opening their seventeenth shop, and our second branch in Galway City, in Galway Shopping Centre, beside Supermac’s. They opened their flagship store in Liosban Retail park in 2009 and feel this new unit is a great strategic move, tying the two shops in the city together.

Brave Grace’s family to meet experts at weekend to discuss options for her recovery

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

The family of a nine-year-old girl fighting a rare form of cancer will meet experts in the UK this weekend to discuss ways of improving her chances of recovery.

It’s beginning to look at lot like Christmas at Keogh’s Centra, Oughterard

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Keogh’s Centra in Oughterard is celebrating the first anniversary of the relaunch of its domestic hardware department, which has proved very successful this year, with value, service, and great products on offer.

Galway to see out Movember with the ‘Show Your Mo’ party

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

The end of November means the end of Movember, the month when many men grow a moustache to raise funds to combat men’s cancers.

To conclude this month of charitable pogonophila - that is the growing of or love of facial hair - HALO will host the ‘Show Your Mo’ party this Friday where Galway Mo Bros can proudly display their efforts. All funds raised throughout Movember go towards raising awareness and funds for men’s health programmees through the Movember Foundation.

Archive launch and symposium to mark the legacy of Professor Kevin Boyle

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

The legacy of world-renowned human rights lawyer and scholar, the late Professor Kevin Boyle, endures at NUI Galway with the launch of his personal archive on Friday, 28 November by the Attorney General, Máire Whelan, S.C. The archive contains a wealth of material and unique insights into the field of human rights, legal research and scholarship.

Thousand of jobs at risk in the fabrication industry as a result of EU Directives, says Canney

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Thousands of jobs are at risk in Ireland as a result of E.U Directive EW 10 90 introduced into this country by the Government last July, according to Cllr. Seán Canney.

City workshop to call for industry to strenghten partnerships in graduate education

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

The College of Science at NUI Galway will host a workshop to meet the regional ecosystem of industries and jointly set the course for a new generation of highly-skilled graduate students, who will have the capacity to enter the job market where Ireland’s regional industry needs it most.

Buy or sell at the Christmas Bubbly Baby Market

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

The Christmas Bubbly Baby Market, which will take place in the Clybaun Hotel on Sunday December 7, will feature a visit from Santa and gifts for the first 20 children into the event.

If you are a new or expecting parent looking for baby items such as buggies, car seats, strollers, swings, toys, bibs, and new and used baby clothes, you can pick up some great Christmas bargains for your baby or toddler at the Bubbly Baby Market.

Still time to get into the ring to fight heart disease

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

There was an air of healthy competition and rivalry at the launch of the Irish Heart Foundation’s Big Heart Fight Night which is set to take place in the Radisson Blu Hotel on March 13.

Kitt calls for clarity on group water scheme charges

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Dep Michael Kitt has called on Minister for the Environment, Community, and Local Government Alan Kelly to clarify whether members of group water schemes will have to pay water charges under the new charging regime announced by the Government last week.

GMIT business lecturer made Fellow of Irish Academy of Management

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Dr Noel Harvey, senior lecturer in the GMIT School of Business, was made a Fellow of the Irish Academy of Management (IAM) at their recent conference in the University of Limerick. The IAM is the leading professional association for management studies, research and education on the island of Ireland.

NUI Galway public event to ponder the future of the smartphone

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

It has taken only seven years for smartphones to become the dominant mobile device. A public talk at NUI Galway will investigate what the next seven years might hold in terms of smartphone technology. Hosted by NUI Galway’s College of Engineering and Informatics ‘The Future of the Smartphone’ will take place on Thursday next, December 4.

Muggles wanted for Galway Quidditch Club open day

Thu, Nov 27, 2014

Quidditch, the magical game from Harry Potter, is coming to the city. Galway Quidditch Club will hold an open day at NUI Galway at 12pm on Saturday, 6 December, with events consisting of a training Quidditch session aimed at beginners followed by practise matches later in the afternoon.

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