Local authority projects offered funding lifeline from EU - Higgins

Fri, Jun 05, 2009

Fine Gael MEP Jim Higgins has confirmed that the European Union is set to announce details of a €14 billion package that will allow Ireland and other EU countries to claim 100 per cent of the cost of projects funded by the European Social Fund and the European Structural and Cohesion Funds for the years 2009 and 2010.

Westport Town Council in focus

Fri, May 29, 2009

It may have the smallest number of voters of the three town councils in the county, but that makes the Westport Town Council race one of the most interesting.

Fianna Fáil commits to introducing a three-year freeze on commercial rates

Fri, May 29, 2009

Fianna Fáil has given a commitment to freeze commercial rates for the next three years in its local election manifesto Accountable & Effective Local Government, which was launched in Dublin by An Taoiseach Brian Cowen this week.

An insider’s guide to election campaigning

Fri, May 29, 2009

As we enter the final full week of electioneering, I would like to pass on my tips to those foot soldiers and political anoraks who are out campaigning.

Castlebar Town Council in focus

Fri, May 29, 2009

While the headlines may have been grabbed in the past few weeks with councillors urging the people of the town not to vote for a former councillor who has decided to come back for some more, the race for the nine seats in Castlebar Town Council promises to be one of the most exciting in the county.

Ballina Town Council in focus

Fri, May 29, 2009

Ballina Town Council, like its counterparts, will be very difficult to call.

Westport area in focus

Fri, May 29, 2009

Westport has one of the smallest fields running in the county for the June 5 election, with eight candidates putting their hats in the ring for the four seats. The major shift on the political landscape from the last local elections is the absence of one Frank Chambers from the ticket. The Newport based auctioneer has been a mainstay of politics in this area for a number of years, but with the redrawing of the boundaries seeing half the town of Newport being given over to Belmullet, Chambers decided to step away from the political circle. That leaves the three sitting councillors, Margaret Adams, Austin Francis O’Malley and John O’Malley, fighting it out with five others for the seats. The other declarations for the election are Caroline Nevin (Fianna Fáil), Peter Flynn (Fine Gael), Keith Martin (Labour), Dave Keating (Sinn Féin) and independent candidate Andy Wilson.

Harkin lashes Fianna Fáil election promises

Fri, May 29, 2009

The country’s roads will be decimated in future if the election promises made by Fianna Fáil on rates and levies are implemented without upfront guarantees.

Europe is playing a vital role in supporting Irish economic recovery – The Cope

Fri, May 29, 2009

That’s according to Pat the Cope Gallagher TD who is standing in the European Parliament elections in the North West constituency and who has outlined how Ireland’s partnership with Europe that will ensure we will economically recover.

Life for employers must be made easier in north west - Ganley

Fri, May 29, 2009

Jobs and investment will not return to the north west without real reforms at national and European level, businessman and European candidate Declan Ganley has said. Mr Ganley said that his experience in setting up successful businesses in many countries had shown him that the most attractive places to invest and create jobs had certain qualities which the Irish government has allowed to disappear from the north west.

Kilcoyne urges voters to change the ‘right wing politics’ that have dogged the county

Fri, May 29, 2009

Speaking in Castlebar this week, Independent candidate in Mayo County Council and Castlebar Town Council elections Michael Kilcoyne urged the people of Mayo to exercise their democratic right and go out and vote. He said: “It is our right if not our obligation to have our say in the election of those people we want to represent us and we should use our vote.” But he warned: “Think carefully before casting your vote. The person you select will represent you for the next five years.”