Galway Senator, Niall O Brolchain, has reaffirmed that the next section of
the Western Rail Corridor will go ahead despite reports to the contrary
last week.

Senator O Brolchain has met with Transport Minister, Noel Dempsey, who has
confirmed the next stages of the Western Rail Corridor will go ahead as
planned.

“I have received a firm commitment from the Transport Minister that the
next stages of the Western Rail Corridor will go ahead,” said Senator O
Brolchain.

“Any reports to the contrary are quite simply scaremongering.

“I will continue to lobby the Minister in this regard to protect the WRC
from any cutbacks,” concluded Senator O Brolchain.

“The passing of this bill has meant so much to so many people,” said

Senator O Brolchain. “It was an emotional day in the Seanad last Friday when the bill was

finally passed and there was applause from the packed public gallery.

“This is an important and significant piece of Irish legislation and many

people have been waiting for years for it. “While I acknowledge the rights of protestors, 84% of people were in favour

of this bill and it is a landmark in Irish social history. “Irish society is changing and it is important that the legislature canadapt to the needs of the people,” he concluded.

Galway Senator, Niall O Brolchain, has welcomed the new Civil PartnershipBill and has described it as a landmark in Irish social history.
“The passing of this bill has meant so much to so many people,” saidSenator O Brolchain. “It was an emotional day in the Seanad last Friday when the bill wasfinally passed and there was applause from the packed public gallery.
“This is an important and significant piece of Irish legislation and manypeople have been waiting for years for it. “While I acknowledge the rights of protestors, 84% of people were in favourof this bill and it is a landmark in Irish social history. “Irish society is changing and it is important that the legislature canadapt to the needs of the people,” he concluded.

Suggestions by Fine Gael Senator, Fidelma Healy Eames that measures to regulate quarries in the new planning act should be dropped is irresponsible according to Green Senator, Niall O Brolchain.

“Her suggestion that a light touch regulatory approach to quarries is the way to create jobs beggars belief, as this approach is precisely what led to the housing bubble in the first place”, said Senator O Brolchain.

“At the same time, the Fine Gael led county council has heavily criticized the Minister for the Environment for daring to put in place a planning review of Galway County in light of the relatively high number of planning applications granted by the council but subsequently turned down by An Bord Pleanala”, stated Senator O Brolchain.

“To suggest that planning in Galway County is beyond question, ignores the fact that Oranmore from where Senator Healy Eames comes, is struggling with a chronic lack of community facilities due to bad planning and over zoning by councilors including Senator Healy Eames herself, when she was on the Council”, said Senator O Brolchain.

“It also ignores that the fact that satellite towns such as Oranmore, Barna, Claregalway and Moycullen are notoriously badly planned, with flooding, major traffic problems, lack of sewage facilities, poor access to schools, water problems, inadequate community facilities and inappropriate developments”, stated Senator O Brolchain, “it is only because county planners, An Bord Pleanala, local residents and community groups such as Pobal Bearna regularly opposed dodgy planning applications by well connected developers that we have any sort of coherence to our planning system in Galway at all”, concluded Senator O Brolchain.

“The new planning act and the planning review are attempting to bring a far more consistent approach to planning in Galway in the future”, stated Senator O Brolchain, “it appears that Senator Healy Eames and the Fine Gael party have learned precisely nothing from the excesses of the Celtic Tiger era”.

Continuing our series of debates:

Should apartment dwellers have more rights?

Monday, 5th July 2010 @ 8pm in the Galway City Museum

Panel: Tom Murphy (Winters Property), Deirdre Murphy (Threshold), Henrike Rau (NUIG)

Chair: Sen. Niall Ó Brolcháin

Galway Greens at Ballyglunin Station

I am pleased that Minister Dempsey has this month reaffirmed his commitment to opening the second phase of the WRC from Athenry to Tuam.

“In fact, it may be completed ahead of time and it is on track to be finished by the end of next year.

“This is great news for the people of Galway as it is an economic lifeline for the West.

“Already, the number of passengers using the recently opened Limerick to Galway section has exceeded even the most optimistic expectations.

“And the re-opening of the section, between Ennis and Athenry, cost less that €2 million per kilometer.

“The real value of this can be seen when you compare it to the cost of the new Dublin to Cork motorway, which opened recently.

“The new motorway and high-grade triple carriageway cost almost €11 million per kilometer, the final cost coming in at €2.6 billion.

“It shows just how economically viable the re-opening of the Western Rail Corridor actually is.

“The figures speak for themselves and I have no doubt there will be strong passenger demand for the Galway to Tuam section when it is completed at the end of next year,”he concluded.

Galway Senator, Niall O Brolchain, has welcomed the launch of the first electric car charge point at NUI, Galway – which is also the first charge point put in place across the Irish Universities.

The charge point was launched by Minister Eamon Ryan today (Mon, June 28).

“Once again Galway is leading the way in renewable energy with the first electric car charge point at NUIG,” said Senator O Brolchain

“I had the opportunity to drive an electric car today and was very pleased with its performance and handling.

“It was an exciting day for Galway and I welcome the new charge point at NUIG,” concluded Senator O Brolchain.

Galway Senator, Niall O Brolchain has accused Galway City Council of not
taking cycling policy seriously.

Senator O Brolchain was speaking in the wake of a decision to close part of
the road at Newtownsmyth last week as part of a cycle lane pilot scheme and
the ongoing controversy surrounding plans to upgrade Seamus Quirke road.

“City Hall need to start taking cycling seriously,” said Senator O
Brolchain, “and I am calling on the new Mayor not to drop the ball on this
one.”

“Closing off part of Newtownsmyth was not the way forward and only served
to cause serious hassle for motorists and local businesses without really
encouraging cyclists.”

“It was a ridiculous move by the City Council and has created bad publicity
for Cyclists and for City Hall.”.

“Galway is a University City with a young population and the potential for
encouraging cycling as a safe, quick, clean form of transport is enormous.
Many people who want to cycle, don’t, as it is not particularly safe to
cycle in Galway as cycle routes have not been thought through. Most other
university cities in Europe are very cycle friendly. It is time we got our
act together.”

“Instead of ‘solo runs’ by the City Council, we need to have some level of
co-ordination and joined up thinking in order to progress this issue.”

“I am calling on the City Council to adopt an integrated approach to
cycling and to liaise with all relevant organisations with a view to
putting in place a proper cycling infrastructure.”

“With our commitment in the renewed programme for Government and the
smarter travel bid, there are great opportunities to put in place the
backbone of a top class cycling infrastructure with a new cycling route
from Oranmore to Barna along the coast, I sincerely hope that the City
Council does not miss this opportunity,” he concluded.

Galway Senator, Niall O Brolchain has welcomed the announcement by Minister John Gormley of a review of Galway County Council’s planning laws and policy as one of six local authorities around the country.

Senator O Brolchain has said the review will focus on consistency and transparency in the planning process and the proper implementation of Government policy and guidelines.

“I welcome the review of how Galway County Council exercises its planning functions,” said Senator O Brolchain.

“Galway County Council was selected for the review process due to the unusually high level of planning permissions overturned by An Bord Pleanala.

“The purpose of the review is not to examine particular planning decisions, but to assess the processes and systems that enable such decisions to be made.

“There are ongoing concerns about planning permission, quarries, flood plains, and over-development in parts of the County, which has caused distress for many people.

“The lack of proper sewerage treatment facilities, often promised but not delivered, has also caused a lot of heartache for homeowners.

“The review will allow for openness and transparency in this area, which is vital if we are to move forward, and ensure the consistent implementation of planning law.

“It will focus on how existing planning legislation, Government policy and guidelines are being implemented and whether local authorities have the correct powers and tools to deliver on their responsibilities.

“Independent planning experts will review Galway County Council’s responses to the Department and will make recommendations if needed,” concluded Senator O Brolchain.

Galway Senator, Niall O Brolchain, is calling on volunteers to roll up their sleeves and take part in a beach clean-up this Sunday, May 30.

The clean-up will take place at Furbo beach from 2-4pm.

Volunteers will meet at 2pm at Padraigins bar and restaurant, Furbo, and the clean-up will take place from 2-4pm.

“This is one small way in which everyone can play their part in protecting the environment,” said Senator O Brolchain.

“I am urging local volunteers to come out on Sunday and help with the beach clean-up.

“It is a great activity and a fantastic way to contribute to the local community while meeting new people.

“Furbo beach is a beautiful amenity and it is important we keep it litter free especially during the tourist season” he said.