Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I wish to acknowledge that my local area has a Europe Direct library. There are actually only eight such libraries across the country and one of them is based in Ballinasloe. Our MEP, Colm Markey, who spoke to us here last week, was in Ballinasloe yesterday. What is really good about this particular library is that covers the areas of counties Galway, Roscommon, Clare and Longford. As to the services it offers, it is an information centre where people can find out about European polices but it also is a phenomenal library. This is to point out how important our library services are. We are very lucky to have it in our area. It is just great. There are library books, you can read your newspaper, you can go in and find out about your audio books, especially when you are travelling a lot, which is great. In addition, European LEADER funding is particularly focused on rural areas and more than €350,000 has been made available in this regard. Colm Markey MEP had the chance to meet people in the Galway Rural Development office in Ballinasloe and highlighted the impact of that funding, particularly for places like our Town Hall Theatre, our town band and the wonderful Christmas lights we had last year. All of this is down to European LEADER funding we access through Galway Rural Development.

At this time of year in Ballinasloe, we would normally have our October horse fair and festival. Unfortunately, it has been cancelled this year, as it was last year, due to public health guidelines. It was a very difficult decision that was taken by Galway County Council along with our committee in Ballinasloe. I understand it is difficult for our businesses but we are going to be looking forward to the 300th anniversary of the fair in 2022. I really encourage all our visitors, both local and from abroad, to look forward to the festival we will hold, and the amazing programme of events we will have in 2022 when we can celebrate in a safe way. Unfortunately, we still have more than 300 people in hospital and more than 60 people in ICUs. We cannot hold events that are not ticketed and it is important we consider public health guidelines.