Council housing programme for 2010 outlined to SPC

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

The members of the housing strategic policy committee of Mayo County Council were given an outline of the planned programme of capital works for 2010 at their first meeting since the June local elections.

Barrett welcomes the taking in charge of estates bill

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

Labour Councillor Harry Barrett has welcomed Labour’s first stage of the Planning And Development (Taking In Charge Of Estates) Bill 2009, which is designed to make it easier for residents in housing estates to force developers to complete to the satisfaction of their local council, any work that may be required on roads, open spaces, car parks, sewers, watermains, drains, or other public facilities.

OPW ecologist report into south Mayo flooding issue delayed

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

The Fine Gael spokesperson on community, rural, and Gaeltacht affairs, Deputy Michael Ring, has again questioned the Office of Public Works regarding the ongoing issue of flooding in south Mayo.

Kenny welcomes Castlebar town centre enhancement works

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny TD has welcomed the planned works by Castlebar Town Council to carry out enhancements of Castlebar’s Main Street, Castle Street, and Ellison Street. The works will involve new road surfaces, wider footpaths with new paving, new public lighting, and raised pedestrian crossings. The project is aimed at making the area as pedestrian friendly as possible with an emphasis on improved accessibility for the disabled.

Council motion to restrict mammoth headstones — Deere

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

Fine Gael Castlebar town Councillor Ger Deere tabled a motion for debate at last night’s meeting of the authority (Thursday). It proposed a new bye-law that governs the size and scale in respect of the erection of headstones in Castlebar’s new cemetery.

Impact of REPS closure ‘horrendous for Mayo’ 

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

The Government decision to dismantle the Rural Environment Protection Scheme will have a greater impact on Mayo than almost every other county, according to IFA presidential candidate John Bryan.

Tribute to well respected socialist, trade union activist

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

Michael Joe Lavelle, who died recently aged 79, was a loyal and dedicated member of the Westport branch of the Labour Party for over 55 years. He gave long and faithful service to the Labour Party and made a real and tangible contribution to the Irish labour movement, and he was elected Westport branch president for life in 2007.

FG to present Private Members’ Motion regarding elderly people and crime

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

Mayo Deputy Michael Ring, Fine Gael spokesperson for community, rural, and Gaeltacht affairs, has indicated that he and his colleague, Deputy Charles Flanagan, Fine Gael spokesperson for justice, equality, and law reform, intend to put down a private members’ motion in the Dáil regarding elderly people and crime.

Mayo schools receive ICT grants

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

Eleven Mayo primary schools are to receive ICT grants in order to install computer hardware, software, and digital equipment.

Balla Mart report

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

On Saturday Balla Mart held its usual cattle sale. There were 1,200 cattle on offer, sold in three rings. There was a good trade for quality lots and on average prices held their own on last week, with local and midland farmers plus Northern buyers attending.

National Broadband Scheme could transform rural areas in Mayo

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

The potential of the National Broadband Scheme currently being rolled out across Ireland by communications company 3 could help transform rural life in County Mayo according to an economic impact report by well known economist Jim Power. The report says that if a high quality and affordable broadband offering like the NBS were to result in the creation of one new SME employing 10 people in each electoral district in Mayo, the economic and financial benefits to the county would be very significant. It would result in the creation of 1,120 jobs; it would result in a net wage injection of €26.9 million into the local economy, which would have an income multiplier effect of up to €53.76 million. It would result in a contribution of €6.72 million to the exchequer, and €896,000 per annum to the local authority. In total it could result in an injection of up to €61.4 million to the local and national economy per annum. Over a five-year period, this would have a net present value of €267.6 million.

Junior Cert should not be axed just to save money

Fri, Nov 13, 2009

The report that the Government is considering abolishing the Junior Certificate exam just to save money is alarming. While abolishing the exam will save €30 million each year, this decision could have a tremendous cost on the quality of education for our young people, said Castlebar town councillor Harry Barrett. 

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