Leading with the left

Fri, Feb 13, 2009

“What you have to do is spend a couple of hours a week, calling back to the people you canvassed leading up to the election, to let them know you haven’t forgotten them. Not everyone will be able to come up to you if they have a problem, so it’s important to go back to them yourself to see what you can do for them.” While she hasn’t been elected yet and faces a tough battle to take one of the nine seats in Castlebar Town Council’s chamber, Labour candidate Bernie Courtney has a clear plan as to how she will stay connected with the constituents if they put their faith in her this summer.

Lower paid discriminated against while oil and gas companies let off

Fri, Feb 13, 2009

Sinn Féin County Councillor Gerry Murray has condemned the introduction of the pension levy which he claims puts the burden of Ireland’s public finances on low and medium income public workers and lets the oil and gas companies off the hook once again. He described the Government’s spin doctors as shameful in their “pathetic attempt to portray and blame public sector workers as being exclusively responsible for the current economic downturn”. Cllr Murray challenged Fianna Fáil on the fairness of the public service pension levy noting that the “sliding scale in the levy discriminates against the lower paid while the oil and gas multi-nationals go untouched.”

Cllr Murray said: “Fianna Fáil are saying that public sector workers paying the new pension levy will be able to avail of tax relief in the same way as those in the private sector do. However the fiscal reality is that tax relief favours high earners, and relief provided for pension contributions arising from the pension levy will result in almost the same percentage levy for earners on €20,000 as it does for those who earn €300,000.”

Cutbacks in opening hours at Mayo railway station offices not acceptable

Fri, Feb 13, 2009

Fears have been expressed that cutbacks in the opening hours at Iarnród Éireann booking offices at railway stations in County Mayo are to be implemented. This has been highlighted by the Fine Gael spokesperson on Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Michael Ring.

Crisis in the dole queues, longer waits on the way — Ring

Fri, Feb 13, 2009

The Fine Gael spokesperson on community, rural, and Gaeltacht affairs Deputy Michael Ring has warned that newly unemployed people are being hung out to dry by the Government because social welfare offices in Mayo still do not have the staff levels to cope with the worsening unemployment crisis.

Live Register doubles for Mayo’s under twenty fives

Fri, Feb 13, 2009

Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny TD has received confirmation from the Central Statistics Office that the Live Register in Co Mayo has more than doubled for those aged under 25 from January 2008 to January 2009. The increase was recorded at being 106.7 per cent representing an annual increase of 1,089 for those under 25.

Holmes accuses Government of holding up Achill sewerage scheme

Fri, Feb 13, 2009

Independent Councillor Michael Holmes has blamed the Department of the Environment for holding up the commencement of the Achill Sewerage Scheme because of its failure to repay €9 million to Mayo County Council.

The gravy train can’t continue…

Fri, Feb 06, 2009

Since I left the Dáil in 2002 I have been loathe to condemn the pay and perks of politicians. This reluctance was based on inside knowledge of life as a public representative.

Instead of job security, they are permanently vulnerable to the whim of the electorate. Unsocial hours and endless availability to the public take a real toll on personal and family life. People don’t go into politics to make money.

McHale welcomes €31.1 million investment in Mayo roads

Fri, Feb 06, 2009

Claremorris Fianna Fáil candidate Gerard McHale has welcomed the announcement of the Government’s investment of €31.1 million in Mayo roads under the regional and local roads programme in 2009.

Maloney welcomes Community Futures Action Plan for Foxford

Fri, Feb 06, 2009

Last week confirmation was received by Councillor Jimmy Maloney that Foxford, through Foxford Development Association, has been successful in its application to Mayo County Community Forum for a Community Futures Action Plan.

Barrett calls for jobs stimulus plan

Fri, Feb 06, 2009

Labour candidate Harry Barrett has said a jobs stimulus plan for Mayo is imperative to avoid sleepwalking into a serious jobs crisis. He has said job creation through a stimulus plan should be put to the top of the political agenda.

FF candidates can run but they can’t hide

Fri, Feb 06, 2009

It’s politics as usual for Fianna Fáil in Westport with the sudden renewed interest by Westport’s Fianna Fáil representatives in local issues such as the N5 and the promised, but not delivered schools, such as Westport’s Gaelscoil, has everything to do with the upcoming local elections and little to do with genuine efforts to actually do anything.

In a business where perception is reality it is vital in the run up to the June elections that FF councillors and their TDs be seen to be doing something; this is far more important than actually doing something.