Leave Child Benefit alone — Ruane

Fri, Sep 18, 2009

Sinn Féin councillor Thérèse Ruane, responding to the Commission on Taxation proposals to tax child benefit, insists that this is grossly unfair, and would create real difficulties for families as they struggle to make ends meet. She also claims that this would push women out of the workforce and into social welfare dependency and poverty.

Ring calls for farming support schemes to be restored

Fri, Sep 18, 2009

Mayo Deputy Michael Ring, Fine Gael spokesperson for community, rural, and Gaeltacht affairs, has called on the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food and the Government to reintroduce some of the schemes cut back previously to help support Irish farmers.

Ireland is stronger with Europe — Flynn

Fri, Sep 18, 2009

Fianna Fáil TD Beverley Flynn claims that Ireland badly needs a Yes vote on October 2 due to the fact that “Ireland today is facing unprecedented economic challenges and we need a Europe which can work effectively to help us and all countries work for recovery.”

Family resource centres in Mayo need to be retained

Fri, Sep 18, 2009

Mayo TD Beverley Flynn says that to dismantle the family resource centres in Mayo would be to deprive the community of a valuable asset and a resource which could never be replaced.

Lisbon Yes vote vital for job creation in Mayo — Calleary

Fri, Sep 18, 2009

Mayo Fianna Fáil TD and Minister Dara Calleary, has said that the Lisbon Treaty is vital to maintaining and creating jobs in rural Ireland.

National Drugs Strategy supports concern over head shops — Deere

Fri, Sep 18, 2009

Castlebar town councillor Ger Deere has expressed his concern about the findings of the National Drugs Strategy. In particular, he is concerned about their reference to so-called head shops and the need to monitor their activities. He has been contacted numerous times by people around the town who are concerned with the activities of the recently opened head shop in Castlebar.

Local processing of medical cards still under threat — Kenny

Fri, Sep 18, 2009

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny has contacted the HSE regarding the centralised processing of medical cards and GP visit cards. In its response, the HSE have confirmed that its 2009 Service Plan will see these services being centrally processed at the Primary Care Reimbursement Services in Finglas. However, the response also stated that the HSE will not close any local offices that currently process medical card applications and will continue to provide information and assistance to clients about their entitlements. Nonetheless, this will involve a reassignment of existing human resources within the HSE.

Work finally starts on Davitt College hall

Fri, Sep 18, 2009

A 30 year wait came to an end at Davitt College in Castlebar last Friday when work finally commenced on the school’s new sports hall.

Fine Gael win defeat from the jaws of victory

Fri, Jun 26, 2009

There are many rumblings in the aftermath of the Local Elections as to the internal health of Fine Gael in east and north Mayo and recent mayoral and cathaoirleach elections are adding to the ether.

Ring accuses Government

Fri, Jun 26, 2009

Deputy Michael Ring has accused the Government of turning its back on the west of Ireland by delaying vital infrastructural projects. The Fine Gael spokesperson on community, rural, and Gaeltacht affairs, Deputy Michael Ring, said he was particularly frustrated over the inordinate delay in extending the Lough Mask Regional Water Supply Scheme from Srah to Westport.

School lights welcomed

Fri, Jun 26, 2009

Minister for Labour Affairs, Dara Calleary has welcomed the provision of flashing lights at Behymore National School on the outskirts of Ballina. The road safety measures were recently installed on the main thoroughfares to the school providing much needed traffic calming in the vicinity of the school.

Brown bin it says McAllister

Fri, Jun 26, 2009

Fergus McAllister, Mayo Green Party chairperson, urged the new Westport Town Council to oversee the introduction of a brown bin collection for the town as soon as possible so that bio-waste such as grass cuttings or food can be separated and utilised, instead of going to landfill.

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