Ring calls for more lenient approach to Farm Assist Scheme

Fri, May 01, 2009

A plea has been made to the Social Welfare Minister, Mary Hanafin, to adopt a more lenient approach to vetting applicants for the Farm Assist Scheme. It has come from the Fine Gael spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Michael Ring, who said farmers were being assisted on last year’s income which bears no comparison to their present financial position because of the economic downturn.

Fine Gael ‘ready and able’

Fri, May 01, 2009

During the launch in the Castlecourt Hotel last Friday of the three Westport area Fine Gael candidates running for the county election, Michael Ring TD told those present that it would not be long before Mayo has a taoiseach and perhaps a job for himself along the way.

East Mayo ready for count down

Fri, May 01, 2009

With the Local Elections only a couple of weeks away the candidates in each area are busy on the doorsteps putting themselves in front of the people again. With the redrawing of election boundaries causing consternation in a number of areas with areas swapping from one to another and Ballinrobe being extinguished as an electoral area in its own right, the Swinford area was one of the least affected with the transfer of Aghamore into its area from the newly expanded Claremorris area.

Learn more about your local candidates at localelection.ie

Fri, May 01, 2009

Today, Friday May 1 a new and innovative website www.localelection.ie, will be officially launched providing voters in Mayo with a unique insight into all the candidates running in the forthcoming local election. This is the only information website that focuses exclusively on Connacht for election 2009. The site is designed to inform the public of all the candidates running for the Local and European Elections with regard to their track records and manifestos. As well as featuring candidate profiles the site also offers a podcast facility which will enable the public to hear and see the candidates in action. The website will be a vital educational tool for the electorate in finding out more about the candidates in their area.

Sod off — Minister sent sod by registered mail

Fri, May 01, 2009

Labour’s Keith Martin has told the Minister for Education Batt O’Keeffe TD “to keep his sod until he presents the pupils of Westport’s Gaelscoil na Cruaiche with a contract for their new school”.

Payment of education grants welcomed by O’Mahony

Fri, May 01, 2009

Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony has welcomed the announcement that the final phase of the grants to third level students in Mayo will be paid this week. Following representations between Deputy O’Mahony and Mayo County Council and the Department of Education, it was confirmed on Friday evening last that the grants would be paid.

Harkin challenges Ganley to public debate

Fri, May 01, 2009

Independent MEP Marian Harkin has insisted that the European Parliament election debate is being deliberately diverted in an attempt by the Ganley Libertas campaign to avoid dealing with the real issues concerned. She has challenged Mr Ganley to public debate on real issues affecting the north and west constituency.

Henry Kenny calls for local road improvements in light of recent accidents

Fri, May 01, 2009

Following two serious car accidents in Mayo last weekend Councillor Henry Kenny has called on Mayo County Council to implement safety measures at the Prizon Road, Balla adjoining the N60 at a junction at Drimadoon. Cllr Kenny said: “In light of a recent and sad fatal accident, there is a definite need to upgrade and improve safety measures at this junction.” Furthermore, he is calling on the council to improve the road surface at Coyne’s Corner on the Westport Road at Ballymacragh, Castlebar. This is following a number of recent accidents.

No room for Government error in banking policy

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

When historians in 2020 analyse our current politics, the most profound Government decisions will be those relating to our banks.

Drama, tears, and fun in store for Westport

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

Less than seven weeks from the elections and things are hotting up in the race for Westport Town Council with the announcement of new candidates from Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael, and Labour.

Fianna Fáil has decided to run five candidates in the hope of keeping its three seats but this is a misguided strategy which will see a much diminished FF vote scatter-gunned across too many candidates and could result in a big upset for the Government party on Westport Town Council.

Front-line job cuts will cause chaos in health services – Ruane

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

Commenting on the leaked memo from the HSE over job cuts, Sinn Féin councillor, Thérèse Ruane says that front-line job cuts will cause chaos in the public health services and that “savage health cuts cannot be dressed up as reform”.

FF’s Caulfield campaign launch

Fri, Apr 24, 2009

Fianna Fáil’s John Caulfield has launched his election campaign in the Swinford electoral area. A native of Kilmovee but now living in Kilkelly, a town starved of council representation since the 1960s, John’s campaign launch was well attended with endorsements from outgoing MEP Sean O Neachtain, Senator John Carty, Dara Calleary TD and former ICMSA President Pat O’Rourke.

E-paper

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