Work has begun this morning on the demolition of the old tourist office in Salthill.

The long-defunct office, situated beside Galway Atlantaquaria, has had various plans over the past decade to repurpose the site, including a business hub.

It was noted in September that planning permission wasn't required to clear the site, and yesterday, fences were erected using specialised heavy equipment, with work commencing this morning.

Speaking earlier, City West Labour Councillor Niall McNeils welcomed the move, saying that it should be zoned sooner rather than later.

Tuam Councillor Mary Hoade raised the issue of the lack of GPs in Headford at a recent meeting of the HSE calling on the executive to allocate an extra 2 GPs to the area.

Following a number of retirements over the years, there are only 3 GPs in an area that covers Shrule, Kilmaine, Glencorrib, Claran, Cloughanover, Kilcoona, Caherlistrane, Annaghdown and Corrandulla. As a result, many locals are finding it difficult to get a GP now.

At the meeting, Councillor Hoade paid tribute to the existing GPs in the area but said that there is a requirement on the HSE to address this situation urgently.

She also added that this issue is not unique to the Headford area.

Galway businesses and landmarks are to light up in green tomorrow for the Samaritans' Longest Night Campaign.

It's to show solidarity with those who may be struggling and coincides with the shortest day, the Winter Solstice.

The campaign highlights that while the nights are long, Samaritans' volunteers are always there to listen.

Samaritans' Galway Deputy Director of publicity Kristen Fossum says the simple act of lighting up in green can have a profound impact.

Sinn Fein is set to host a public meeting in Athenry tomorrow evening where the impacts of the controversial Mercosur trade on Irish agriculture and consumers will be discussed.

The trade deal is an agreement between the EU and the South American bloc which is aimed at boosting trade by reducing tariffs and opening markets.

The meeting will be held in the Raheen Woods Hotel in Athenry at 8 tomorrow night.

Galway East TD Louis O'Hara says now is the time for farmers to raise their voices and to oppose this trade deal.

Ireland is falling behind other EU countries when it comes to accessing central funding for social enterprise developments.

That's according to local MEP Maria Walsh, who says Ireland consistently draws less funding per capita than other EU states.

Fine Gael MEP Walsh told the EU Parliament it's not due to a lack of demand.

Midlands North West MEP Ciaran Mullooly has described the outcome of the EU Fisheries Council in Brussels as a body blow to the Irish fishing industry, warning that the decision will devastate coastal communities and place thousands of jobs at risk.

Following a marathon Council meeting, Ireland has emerged with 57,000 tonnes less fishing quota for 2026, despite widespread recognition that the Irish fishing sector is already under severe pressure.

This pressure has been compounded by ongoing overfishing by non-EU countries and the continued access of other EU fleets to Irish waters.

Speaking this morning, MEP Mullooly said that emergency aid has to be sought for communities that will be devastated by this decision.

The announcement of €35 million in EU Connecting Europe Facility (CEF) funding for digital infrastructure has been welcomed by Minister of State for International and Road Transport, Logistics, Rail and Ports Seán Canney.

Of that, €31 million will go to projects in the West of Ireland.

The funding is €12,281,625 for Atlantic Technological University (ATU) and €18,932,210 for the PISCES subsea cable system.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister Canney explained where the funding will go, adding that these were very important projects not only for the west but for the country as a whole.

An event will be held in Athenry tomorrow to mark the 103rd anniversary of the death of Liam Mellows.

It’s organised by Sinn Fein, and they’re honouring him as a key revolutionary figure and a prominent Anti-Treaty republican.

It will be held at 12:30pm in Athenry Commemorative Garden and Galway East TD Louis O’Hara says everyone is welcome.

The announcement this week of three major changes to the Rural Social Scheme has been warmly welcomed by Galway Rural Development.

The RSS is an income support initiative providing part-time employment for farmers and fishers in receipt of certain social welfare payments and who are underemployed.

The changes include the fact that the RSS will be available to any person who is 25 years or older in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment, and who has a 'defined' connection to the farming number.

In addition to those changes, under a new pilot scheme 250 places for 'Rural Dwellers' will soon be available nationally.

The campaign for changes to the rules of the scheme was led by Galway Rural Development.

Speaking to Galway Bay FM, CEO Steve Dolan said these changes will make the scheme more flexible and better aligned with the reality of rural life.