Galway West expected to go down to the wire

Fri, Feb 26, 2016

Galway West stands on the brink of electing its first female TD in almost 20 years, but while the omens are good for Independent Left councillor Catherine Connolly, her route to the Dáil is by no means certain, as Sinn Féin and the Social Democrats are also eyeing that same seat.

Galway West has only once elected a female TD, has never elected more than one Left candidate, and has never returned two Independents, but the current volatility of the electorate means the constituency is the most unpredictable it has ever been, with the final two seats very difficult to call only 24 hours before polling stations open.

Mayo urology service declined by HSE - Cowley

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

Dr Jerry Cowley Independent Candidate for Mayo says that he has learned that the HSE were offered a consultant urology biopsy service at Mayo University Hospital Castlebar five years ago but they declined to initiate such a service. Dr Cowley stated that Galway based consultants dealing with Mayo urology patients saw a great need for a urology consultant prostate biopsy service in Mayo but this was not acted on by the HSE despite the recommendation of the specialist urology consultants.

An end to crime and corruption - Farrington

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

The primary duty of any government is to keep its people safe, yet, at present, many Irish citizens are living in fear as serious violence escalates across the country says Renua candidate for Mayo Michael Farrington. The candidate for next weeks election said that "The front pages of our newspapers are dominated by graphic images of violent and deadly crimes and, more recently, the funerals of some major Irish criminals, who believe that murder is an acceptable way to end a dispute. It is somewhat ironic that these criminals have no respect for the laws of this country and, no respect for the lives of the many innocent people their behaviour puts at risk, and yet they will have no trouble hiding behind our laws, demanding its protection and “their rights”.The attitude of the late Coalition towards criminality has been characterised by inactivity and apathy."

Taoiseach: €14,000 for Castlebar Social Services

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has welcomed €14,000 in funding for Castlebar Meals on Wheels which will allow it put a refrigerated vehicle on the road to provide meals to the elderly in Castlebar and the surrounding area.

"This small grant means a lot to this organisation who work so hard to improve the lives of the elderly in Castlebar and many of the surrounding areas," Mr Kenny said. "They provide an invaluable service and I am glad that they have secured this funding. Only a thriving economy can keep the recovery going and allow us to invest further in valuable services and organisations like Castlebar Social Services [Meals on Wheels]."

Taoiseach: €14,000 for Castlebar Social Services

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

An Taoiseach Enda Kenny has welcomed €14,000 in funding for Castlebar Meals on Wheels which will allow it put a refrigerated vehicle on the road to provide meals to the elderly in Castlebar and the surrounding area.

Government sacrifices needs of vulnerable — Moran

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

Some 46,000 young children have complex needs, often relating to slower development of speech and language faculties. Yet the Irish health service does not make adequate provision for early intervention.

Surgeon sent home, surgeries cancelled at Mayo General — Chambers

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

Surgeons were sent home early and surgeries were cancelled last week at Mayo General Hospital because of overcrowding in the emergency department, according to General Election candidate Lisa Chambers.

Cllr Chambers said that under new protocols, surgical beds were being used to take the overflow of emergency department patients. Speaking this week she said: "Mayo General is obliged, under an order signed by Minister Varadkar, to put certain procedures in place once overcrowding reaches certain levels. Twenty five per cent of inpatient general surgical beds and 60 per cent of day surgical beds are being used to cater for emergency overcrowding."

Time to end digital divide in Mayo — Calleary

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

Fianna Fáil General Election candidate for Mayo, Dara Calleary says it is time to end the digital divide which is undermining Mayo’s potential to develop business and increase local employment opportunities. Commenting following the launch of the Fianna Fáil manifesto on Thursday, he said that now is the time for action in delivering high speed broadband and mobile phone coverage to every home and business in Mayo.

Mayo ignored for key infrastructure says First Independent Mayo

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

Why did Enda Kenny "our Mayo Taoiseach" not continue the motorway from Gort to Tuam on into Mayo at the very least? It is only a distance of 14km, asked the First Independent group this week.

The group, which is running two candidates in the General Election next Friday, said in a joint statement from both of their candidates, Peter Jordan and George O'Malley: "First Independent Mayo policy is to push for it to be continued to Claremorris and on to Sligo town. Mayo needs real infrastructure if we are to get real jobs. We are also pushing for the Western Rail Corridor; and a Knock Free Zone around the airport. Such a zone will take in Charlestown, Swinford, Kiltimagh, Knock, and Kilkelly and will result in 8,000 jobs."

Mayo post offices and jobs secure — Mulherin

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

Fine Gael candidate in Mayo, Michelle Mulherin TD, has received confirmation from An Post that there will be no closure of post offices in Swinford, Charlestown, and Kiltimagh, arising out of changes proposed in the arrangements for mail sorting.

Ireland’s centenarians should be honoured as part of 1916 commemorations — Ring

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

Michael Ring, Minister of State for Tourism and Sport, has said that he will be contacting the relevant Department to make provision to honour Irish people who were born in 1916.

Mayo election candidates urged to prioritise dementia

Fri, Feb 19, 2016

The Alzheimer Society of Ireland has launched its General Election 2016 campaign ‘Vote to Remember’ as it reveals the numbers set to develop dementia nationally will jump by 11 people a day to 68,000 by the end of the next Government. Currently there are people in 1,835 Mayo living with dementia, by the end of the next government that will have increased to 2,569.

The Vote to Remember campaign on www.votetoremember.ie urges candidates to make dementia a political priority, and asks for the people of Mayo’s support by visiting the website and contacting their candidates directly in relation to dementia supports.

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