A march taking place in Galway this afternoon will call on the City Council to be proactive in challenging racism and discrimination.

The anti-racism 'March to the Arch' is organised by Galway Communities Against Racism and Discrimination

The march starts at 2 and goes from Galway Cathedral, followed by a rally at the Spanish Arch.

Nora Corcoran of Galway Traveller Movement told Sally Ann Barrett a broad approach is needed to tackle the issue

Final preparations are underway for Monday's St. Patrick's Day Parade in the city.

The theme for this year is 'Sea and Stone' - honouring Galway's stunning coastal surroundings and rich maritime heritage

The parade will start at 11.30am at University Road, making its way over the Salmon Weir Bridge towards the city centre.

The city parade involves 50 community groups, over 3,000 participants and Grand Marshal Sharon Shannon.

Galway City Council's Tourism Officer Ruairí Lehmann and Festival and Events Officer Louise Osbourne offer advice for the day:

Independent TD for Galway East, Minister Seán Canney, has welcomed this week's announcement by the Minister for Education, Helen McEntee, of an additional special class at Scoil An Chroí Ró-Naofa in Belclare.

This is an addition to the nine new special classes sanctioned for Galway last month as part of the Government's national expansion of special education supports.

The previous announcement included nine special classes across Galway, located at Craughwell National School, Kilglass National School, Scoil Sailearna, Creegs Central National School, Knocknacarra Educate Together National School, Dominican College, St. Jarlath's College, Tuam and Glenamaddy Community School.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Canney said that they will work to ensure that they reach the targets set for this year.

A local senator has used the Seanad to raise the plight of the "forgotten" Irish diaspora in Argentina.

Irish emigrants arrived in the South American country in large numbers from the early 1800's until the early 1900's.

Today, the modern Irish-Argentine community is estimated to be up to one million strong.

And Senator PJ Murphy said they should be shown some level of preferential treatment when they travel here.

The Government is falling short in addressing the long-running crisis in care, support and services for people with eating disorders.

That's according to local TD Claire Kerrane, who's raised the matter in the Dáil.

She said there's a desperate need for more inpatient beds and specialist training.

Sinn Fein Deputy Kerrane told Tánaiste Simon Harris she recently attended a briefing by Cared Ireland, which laid bare how people are struggling.

Not one single affordable home has been delivered in East Galway in many, many years.

That's according to Galway East TD Louis O'Hara, who's told the Dáil it's little wonder we're in a housing crisis when we look at the Government's record.

The Sinn Fein TD also claimed the Government misled the public by focusing on housing commencement notices rather than the number of homes completed last year.

Deputy O'Hara then took aim at plans to abolish Rent Pressure Zones.

Galway West TD Catherine Connolly has demanded clarity from the Taoiseach over mixed messages on the Government's Tenant in Situ scheme.

It allows local authorities to buy properties where tenants are facing eviction because the landlord is selling the property.

Deputy Connolly said the Department of Housing has told Galway City Council the scheme is currently suspended.

But, she said, the Department itself is saying it is not - and she asked Michéal Martin for clarity.

He replied after Deputy Connolly told the Dáil that 11 tenants are currently at risk of homelessness if the scheme doesn't come through.

Olive Foley, widow of rugby legend Anthony Foley is to give an address on grief at this year's Galway Novena which gets underway tomorrow (mon feb 17)

Mother of two Olive lost her husband Axel Foley in 2016 when he died suddenly from heart disease at the age of 42 and her talk at the Novena on Day 8 is entitled 'Grief: The Price of Love'

Each day will feature a different speaker reflecting on their personal stories and insights into faith, resilience, grief and love.

The theme of the 41st event is the Novena as a place of shelter, reflection and hope for people from every walk of life, young to old, strong in faith or searching for meaning.

The weekday sessions are 11am, 1.10pm and 7.30pm with evening candlelight sessions at 8.30 and 9.30 while the full schedule is on GalwayCathedral.ie

Operations Manager Helena O'Shea says the Novena is made possible by the wonderful work of their volunteers.

The impact and devastation of Storm Eowyn turned "Eamons Ryan's dream into a nightmare".

That's according to local TD Michael Fitzmaurice, as he reflected on the countless homes left without heating in the aftermath of the storm.

Independent Ireland Deputy Fitzmaurice told the Dáil the situation clearly proved the value of a chimney.