Changes could be on the card in the largest electoral area

Fri, May 15, 2009

The Belmullet area saw the largest influx of new voters into the area following the redrawing of the boundaries last year. An extra 2,249 people were planted into the area from both the east and south of the old constituency. The decision to move Newport east from the Westport electoral area into Belmullet and its population of 1,021 was enough to see sitting Newport based Fianna Fáil councilor Frank Chambers decide not to run again, after seeing his home base split between two different electoral areas. While to the east of the old constituency, Ballycastle, Bunaveela, Kilfian west and Lacken north have been added from the old Ballina area.

Kilmurray Water Scheme essential - Loftus

Fri, May 15, 2009

Fianna Fail election candidate, Michael Loftus, has called a meeting with Minister Michael Finneran, and is urging him to address the “essential” Kilmurray Water Scheme.

Parents concerned about speed limits outside schools

Fri, May 15, 2009

Concerned parents of school children have contacted Castlebar Town Council and Mayo County Council election candidate Councillor Blackie Gavin to voice their concerns about the danger of speeding cars outside national schools in Mayo.

‘Enough is enough’ - Rose Conway-Walsh

Fri, May 15, 2009

Rose Conway-Walsh has described Finance Minister Brian Lenihan’s decision to cut Child Benefit payment across the board as “another shameful attack on families”.

McAllister opposed to plans for Colonel Woods

Fri, May 15, 2009

Fergus McAllister, Green candidate for Westport Town Council, said that he is opposed to “last century” plans to develop tourism accommodation in Colonel Woods, as currently proposed in the Town Development Plan and has sent in a strong objection to the proposal which allows for small scale tourism accommodation under the area's designation as a tourism/amenity zone.

The young pretender

Fri, May 15, 2009

With Fianna Fáil facing the ire of the public opinion in the media and on the streets, deciding to throw your hat in the ring for the very first time as a local election candidate for the party was never going to be an easy task. However, one young Castlebar man has decided to throw his lot in with the soldiers of destiny and try and take a seat on Castlebar Town Council in the upcoming elections. Stephen Lavelle who at 23 is the youngest candidate in the field has been knocking on the doors around Castlebar asking the people to put their faith in him on June 5 and despite some angry responses to him when he tells the people who he is running for he has enjoyed the canvassing process so far.

Heston calls for stimulus package to focus on job creation

Fri, May 15, 2009

Urgent action is required to tackle the jobs crisis in Castlebar town according to Noreen Heston as she calls upon the Town Council to act without delay in putting a plan in place to address the situation. A cohesive package must be put in place involving all the appropriate state agencies including FÁS and the IDA, said Ms Heston.

Westport councillors incensed with vandalism of posters

Fri, May 15, 2009

Two candidates in the forthcoming County Council election have roundly condemned the vandalism and destruction of public property occasioned by persons involved in defacing election posters and road signs outside Westport over the weekend. The graffiti, which appeared to have been designed to pit two of Westport’s popular town councillors against each other, has had the opposite effect with both Peter Flynn and Keith Martin coming together to remove the posters early Sunday morning and condemn the cowardly act which they believe to have been politically motivated.

Barrett condemns county library cut

Fri, May 15, 2009

“Libraries around the county will not be able to buy any more new books or daily newspapers later this year due to funding cuts,” according to Labour councillor Harry Barrett.

Mayo is off-line when it comes to broadband — Ruane

Fri, May 15, 2009

Sinn Féin councillor Thérèse Ruane insists that high speed access to broadband must be made a priority for our local businesses and communities. This State not only lags far behind the EU average in broadband rollout, it also has some of the highest costs and lowest speeds in the EU.

The battle lines are drawn for June 5

Fri, May 08, 2009

The Government decision to combine the bye-elections with the Euro and Local elections considerably raises the stakes for all political parties on June 5. Voters’ verdicts will determine the fate of all party leaders and the timing of the next General Election.

Can this Government get any worse?

Fri, May 08, 2009

I don’t understand the proposed National Asset Management Agency. I have listened carefully to Finance Minister Brian Lenihan and his chief adviser, Peter Bacon. I have read all the news reports. I have gone online to read background information on the theory and practice of bad banks and toxic debts.

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