I am a mother because two mothers chose life

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

On Tuesday evening the Dail voted at second stage on the Protection of Life in Pregnancy Bill (2013). As expected four of our Fine Gael TDs (Peter Matthews, Brian Walsh, Billy Timmins and Terence Flanagan) very courageously voted against the Bill. Next week, I, too will vote against the abortion bill. More FG colleagues are expected to follow in the coming days.

This is not an easy decision given the implications for us as Fine Gael Oireachtas members, losing the whip, expulsion from the parliamentary party and an uncertain, if any, political future. Nevertheless, the one factor that binds us is that we feel compelled to answer to our conscience given the compelling evidence, and put the principle of life, both the mother's and the unborn's life, before politics.

GMIT food and beverage lecturer selected as Fáilte Ireland Food Champion

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

Jacinta Dalton, a lecturer in the GMIT College of Tourism and Arts, has been selected by Fáilte Ireland as one of eight new influential food tourism ambassadors, or Food Champions, under the Food Tourism Network Development Programme.

New minister for Galway United Methodist Presbyterian Church

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

Helen Freeburn BA Lth has been ordained and installed as minister to the congregation of Galway United Methodist Presbyterian Church.

People with HIV still experience discrimination

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

People with HIV continue to experience stigma, discrimination and isolation, according to the manager of AIDS West.

John Flannery’s comments came as the organisation marked Irish AIDS day recently by taking to the streets distributing red ribbons to the public. These were used to show solidarity with people living with HIV and in memory of those who have died from the virus. A large red ribbon was on display at many iconic sites throughout the city.

Coffee morning next week to thank Croí

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

A coffee morning in aid of Croí taking place in Blake’s Bar next week will feature a chance to sample Kopi Luwak coffee, considered the most expensive, and most unusual, coffee in the world.

Galway women to be hit by ‘mean-spirited’ maternity cuts says Ó Cuív

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

Pregnant women face losses of around €2,700 a year following the slashing of maternity benefit which one Galway TD has branded as “anti-family and anti-women”.

Fianna Fáil agriculture spokesperson and Galway West TD Éamon Ó Cuív says the cut, which was announced in December’s Budget and came into effect this week, will affect thousands of women and young families across Galway.

Research to replicate success of Great Western Greenway for cyclists

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

A research team from Civil Engineering at NUI Galway has launched a survey of the Great Western Greenway to aid the design of similar cycling routes nationwide. The greenway, which runs from Westport to Achill Sound, has proven a major success since the full length of track was opened two years ago.

Summer school helps filmmakers engage with human rights issues

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

An intense ten-day summer school at NUI Galway to filmmakers engage with pressing human rights issues has been running in the city all week. The Cinema, Human Rights and Advocacy (CHRA) Summer School which concludes on Saturday is funded by Open Society Foundations.

The Foundation, backed by investor and philanthropist George Soros, has this year doubled its funding to CHRA projects through its Open Society Media Programme and Youth Initiative.

Misleading authorities should be made a criminal offence says Higgins

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

Misleading a State authority on matters of national importance must be made a criminal offence, according to Galway Labour senator Lorraine Higgins.

Eight NUIG students for arts festival’s Selected programme

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

Eight NUI Galway students from the university’s theatre and drama postgraduate courses will join Irish theatre makers, producers, and visual artists, as part of a partnership with the Galway Arts Festival.

Honour local achievers by nominating them for People of the Year award

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

As the closing date for nominations for the 18th annual Rehab Galway People of the Year Awards loom (tomorrow Friday) people are being urged to name the person they would most like to salute and honour.

Ollie Robinson of the local Rehab Foundation, which are the organisers of this high profile event, says it is seeking nominations for Galway people who had contributed to their communities at local, national or international level.

Galway Garden Festival to benefit Galway Simon and Christian Blind Mission

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

What started out four years ago, as in most people's eyes, a unique opportunity to see the wonderfully-restored Claregalway castle, has turned into one of the must-attend festivals in the west and also into one of the leading horticultultural events in the country. And this weekend, the Galway Garden Festival is back for round four.

Castletown again as Ballyglunin station hosts dramatic production of The Quiet Man

Thu, Jul 04, 2013

Ballyglunin will be transported back 50 years this month when a stage production of The Quiet Man will be performed at the iconic railway station which featured in the famous film.

Keaveney jumps ship from labour

Thu, Jun 27, 2013

“The more I articulate the views of members, or try to facilitate a discussion of real Labour policy, I am seen as a problem, a difficulty, an inconvenience...I can no longer go along with what is increasingly like a political charade.”

Keaveney jumps ship from labour

Thu, Jun 27, 2013

“The more I articulate the views of members, or try to facilitate a discussion of real Labour policy, I am seen as a problem, a difficulty, an inconvenience...I can no longer go along with what is increasingly like a political charade.”

When will the blather machine ever run dry?

Thu, Jun 27, 2013

I don’t do sincerity very well. Don’t get me wrong, it‘s not a flaw or anything which gets me down, it’s just a conditioning, a layer that has applied itself to me since a long time back. There are days when I wish I was a very principled person, one who could be strongly committed to one cause of another. I encounter lots of people who strongly believe in a cause or a campaign and I lay the resources of my pages at their disposal and I admire them. But I’m not one of them. And because I’m afflicted with a latent lack of sincerity, I tend to get that little twitch in my nose when I detect similar insincerity, when I resist the temptation to have an almighty yawn and say to someone ‘save the bullshit for someone else.”

And because of that, I am apolitical when it comes to choosing parties or candidates.

No action against Savita carers until HIQA report

Thu, Jun 27, 2013

The board of the Galway and Roscommon University Hospital Group are awaiting the publication of the HIQA report into the death of Savita Halappanavar at University Hospital Galway (UHG) in October last year before a decision will be made as to what action, if any, will be taken against clinicians charged with her care.

At a meeting of the HSE West Regional Health Forum on Tuesday Mr Bill Maher, CEO of the board, in a written response to a question by Councillor Padraig Conneely said it would not be appropriate to comment further while the Medical Council and the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland are considering the HSE National Incident Management Team report into Ms Halappanavar’s death.

Details announced of Best Dressed Lady and Best Hat competition ahead of Galway Races

Thu, Jun 27, 2013

With just over a month to go, the countdown is on to the most glamorous fashion event of the Irish racing calendar when thousands of fashionistas will don their glad rags and compete for the coveted title of Best Dressed Lady at the Galway Races.

Lady Gregory Autumn Gathering to celebrate women writers

Thu, Jun 27, 2013

The Lady Gregory Autumn Gathering, now in its 19th year, will this year include a tribute to women writers around the world. This year’s event will take place in Coole Park over five days in October.

McNelis calls for better tour bus parking facilities

Thu, Jun 27, 2013

The lack of proper tour bus parking facilities and the distance buses must drop tourists from the city centre “needs to be addressed as soon as possible”.

This is the view of Labour city councillor Niall McNelis who has raised the issue with the Junior Minister for Transport Alan Kelly and the Galway Transportation Unit in City Hall.

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