Planning SPC to keep a close eye on new planning bill

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

The planning and economic development SPC of Mayo County Council will have to keep a close eye on the new planning bill that is passing through the Oireachtas at the moment. The bill caused a lot of concern for the members of Mayo County Council at their monthly meeting the previous week when it was raised and the members of the SPC expressed similar concerns.

Ring appeals for courthouses to remain in Westport and Kiltimagh

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

Deputy Michael Ring, Fine Gael spokesperson on community, rural, and Gaeltacht affairs, has been in touch again with the Court Services in relation to the proposed closure of the Westport and Kiltimagh courthouses.

Hollymount Eircom exchange will not be upgraded, but broadband on the way

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

A south Mayo county councillor has received confirmation that Eircom will not be upgrading the local Hollymount exchange, but that Hollymount will now come under the National Broadband Scheme. This means that the Government and the mobile network 3 will now be including the area in its rollout of broadband wireless technology in 2010.

Drunk motorcyclist loses licence

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

A 54-year-old bachelor from Sligo who was observed by gardaí driving without indication on a roundabout and then veering towards a parked car, was convicted at Ballina District Court this week for drink driving and dangerous driving.

Ballina man tried to escape from garda custody

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

A man who, following a domestic disturbance, was observed driving in an erratic manner and when arrested for drink driving tried to escape from the garda car and was abusive towards gardaí, was before Judge Patrick Clyne at Ballina District Court on Tuesday.

Unemployment in Mayo rises 158 per cent over two years — Kenny

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny TD has expressed his concern that the live register in County Mayo has increased by almost 158 per cent over the past two years. This represents an extra 7,425 unemployed people in the county, bringing the total to 12,128. Furthermore, the number of under 25s in the county has increased by 192 per cent showing that young people are being particularly hard hit.

Boost for beef farmers as UAE re-opens market – Flynn

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

Beef farmers will get a boost from the re-opening of the United Arab Emirates market to Irish beef according to Fianna Fáil TD Beverley Flynn.

Higgins highlights need for safer rail infrastructure

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

In the wake of yet another failure by rail infrastructure to withstand typical Irish weather conditions, this time on the Dublin to Rosslare line, Jim Higgins Fine Gael, MEP for Ireland North West, said that the Government must act now to ensure safer railways, not wait for a serious accident on a mainline rail service.

Every Mayo classroom to get IT equipment

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

Fianna Fáil TD and Minister for Labour Affairs Dara Calleary has welcomed the announcement by the Government that every classroom in the country is to receive a teaching laptop, software and digital projector over the next three years as part of the €150 million Smart Schools plan. The major high-tech drive was launched by An Taoiseach Brian Cowen.

Schools transport hikes a step too far - O’Brien

Fri, Nov 20, 2009

Fine Gael Councillor Patsy O’Brien has said that thousands of pupils have been forced out of the school transport system following the recent ticket price hikes at the beginning of September.