O’Mahony incensed that junior minister cuts not being brought to Cabinet

Fri, Jan 16, 2009

The figures revealed by Fine Gael that show the taxpayer is paying over €8 million for 187 staff for ministers of state highlight the absolute necessity for at least three junior ministries to be abolished according to Mayo Deputy John O’Mahony TD.

Deputy O’Mahony said that it is ridiculous for the Greens to echo Fine Gael’s call for the number of junior ministers to be cut but then confirm that they are not bringing the proposal to Cabinet.

Belmullet woman seeks Fine Gael nomination

Fri, Jan 16, 2009

If selected at convention this Sunday, Sinead Gaughan will be the first woman to represent the Fine Gael party for the Belmullet electoral area in the Local Elections. “I wish my colleagues all the best,” Sinead has said this week, “but it is a landmark occasion for me personally. Perhaps goodwill will be on my side considering the unique circumstance of my nomination, we can only wait and see.”

Grassroots

Fri, Jan 09, 2009

Happy New Year Grassroots readers, here’s to a lively year of elections, referendums, recessions, and at least two by-elections for good measure. I hope our politicians enjoyed the Christmas rest in advance of all the above.

A new year but the same old stories. Beverley Flynn is in the thick of it and once again for all the wrong reasons. Is she living in the world that most of us are in 2009? How can she justify taking an extra €41,000 on top of her already very generous package? Yes it’s legal but that doesn’t mean it’s justified. The upshot of the whole things is that politician’s expenses have to be reviewed and moved to a vouched system. I appreciate that there are huge expenses involved in the job - but if you can vouch for them then you can justify them. At least Brian Lenihan seems to be aware of this and his proposals on the issue give some hope.

You have to do your best for the people

Fri, Jan 09, 2009

“Before I ever tell anyone what I can do for them when they come to me with an issue, the first thing I do is let them know exactly what I can’t do. You have to be honest with people when they come to you with a problem, because even though you might have 20 other issues to deal with, the one they come to you with is the most important to them. And they are the ones who elected you to the council in the first place.” It’s a simple tenet, but it’s the one of the most important tenets of someone who is a public representative according to Ballina Town and County Councillor Johnny O’Malley. The Fianna Fail councillor has been elected to Ballina Town Council twice, first in 1999 and again in 2004, and then to Mayo County Council for the first time in the same year.

Epitomising a tide of change

Fri, Jan 09, 2009

In a country which has been eroded to its core with financial and political corruption, a tide of change to the current establishment is what many are seeking, and with local elections looming those who want to “challenge the status quo” may personify that symbol of change which encapsulates who the public want representing them. A change to the “same old crew” who have been in the council for years and “have little forward thinking” is something which Fine Gael Councillor Peter Flynn envisions as he begins his battle for a seat in the forthcoming elections.

Could Packie Bonner be our next MEP?

Fri, Jan 09, 2009

Italia 90 was easily the worst World Cup in living memory. Excruciatingly dull games, foul play, cantenaccio gone mad, cynical holding out for extra time, and running down the clock for penalties.

YouTube campaign launched by Martin

Fri, Jan 09, 2009

“Things can only get better” is the message and theme of Westport Councillor Keith Martin's bid for a seat on Mayo County Council. The Labour councillor is an avid blogger and keeps his constituents informed via regular updates on his blog councillorkeithmartin.com and his Facebook page. In addition to these Cllr Martin has launched his own YouTube channel and his own campaign video entitled “Things can only get better”.

Hands off Western Development Commission – Doherty

Fri, Jan 09, 2009

Speaking this week following a meeting with the Council for the West and the Oireachtas Liaison Committee, Sinn Féin regional development spokesperson Senator Pearse Doherty has called on the Government to keep its hands off the Western Development Commission (WDC).

ICT funding boost for Castlebar and Westport schools - Flynn

Fri, Jan 09, 2009

aTwo schools in Mayo are to receive funding for the purchase of ICT equipment for their classrooms, according to Fianna Fáil TD Beverley Flynn.

Calleary to question retail leaders on north-south price differences

Fri, Jan 09, 2009

The price differential between shops north and south of the border will be questioned by Ballina Fianna Fáil Deputy Dara Calleary when retail industry leaders come before the Oireachtas Enterprise, Trade, and Employment committee.

Slurry spreading rules doing environment more harm than good - Ring

Fri, Jan 09, 2009

Fine Gael spokesperson on community, rural and Gaeltacht affairs Deputy Michael Ring has contacted the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food regarding the rules governing the timing for the spreading of slurry. According to Dep Ring the rules are doing more harm than good to the environment and should be urgently reviewed.

Standard of local authority housing called into question

Fri, Jan 09, 2009

The construction standard of local authority housing has come in for criticism from the Fine Gael spokesperson on community, rural, and Gaeltacht affairs, Deputy Michael Ring.

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