When is a charity not a charity ask Fine Gael

Fri, Dec 19, 2008

Given the importance of sport from a public health and quality of life perspective the decision of the Government to attempt to pass legislation to remove charitable status from sporting organisations is all the more bizarre, according to Westport Town Councillor Peter Flynn.

Grassroots

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

Critical infrastructure and the allocation of social housing needs to be seriously addressed by government legislation. The putting in place of critical infrastructure for badly needed projects in Ireland and the processes involved in ensuring such projects become a reality needs to be radically overhauled and the whole timeframe needs to be dramatically speeded up and transformed.

Media attention should now focus on imported meat products

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

The proven effectiveness of the traceability system operated by the Department of Agriculture underlines the reason why Irish consumers should buy Irish meats rather than accept products produced in countries like Brazil that have questionable standards.

The newest kid on the block

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

“I’ve been involved on a local level in politics since I was about 16, but when I went to college I got seriously involved. So when I came back home I wanted to do my bit for my community.” There won’t be too many 25-year-olds putting their names to the ballot paper next June when the local elections come around, but that’s what Jarlath Munnelly did in 2004. And the first-time candidate won a seat, becoming the youngest member of the current 31 county councillors.

Ring condemns Minister for Education’s actions

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

Mayo Deputy Michael Ring has called the Minister for Education and Science, Batt O’Keeffe, a “Scrooge” for his failure to include the national school sector in his U-turn on educational cuts.

Beverley welcomes Balla NS funding

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

Beverley Flynn TD has welcomed confirmation of additional funding for facilities at Balla National School.

Labour celebrates securing charity status for sports club in Charities Bill

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

The Labour Party in Mayo are celebrating the passing of an amendment in Seanad Éireann which ensures that sports clubs are listed as charities in the Charities Bill.

That’s according to Labour PRO Harry Barrett, who outlined that despite the fact that the Government were opposed to the amendment, they had 12 members missing in the Seanad for the vote, and so Labour was able to ensure that this “very important” measure will be included in the Bill.

Westport’s first lady of politics

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

“When you’re a mother and you’re used to minding the kids at home and doing the sums there, it prepares you for doing the sums and the other kinds of work as a councillor.”

Barrett could be election dark horse

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

As anger grows at government cutbacks, particularly in education, the political mood in the county suggests that many will take out their frustrations in next year’s local elections. Add to this a host of retirements and the scene could be set for a number of election shocks in the Castlebar electoral area.

Flynn calls for local unity

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

“I really do miss the council, it was a great grounding and base for someone in politics and I learned a lot there. It’s the coal face of politics in Ireland, the saying is that all politics is local in Ireland and at that level it’s as local as you can get.” Up until the dual mandate was eliminated it wasn’t a rare site to see TDs also being county councillors and Deputy Beverley Flynn was no different. After being co-opted on to Mayo County Council in 1996 and then elected in 1994 the Castlebar based-TD knows what it’s like to be on the ground level in local politics.

Getting the youth vote out

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

Low turnout in elections is usually blamed on apathy from the franchised youth in the country who don’t bother to make their way to the polls. Apart from those who will always have an interest or those raised in a dyed in the wool political household, getting the younger generation involved in politics is no easy task. Who is to blame? The political parities, the media, education or the politicians themselves. There is no easy answer to a complex question. But on the ground moves are being made by the political parties to capture the youth vote and generate interest in politics in the run up to next year’s elections.

Ganley and his ‘single issue agenda’ out of touch says Harkin

Fri, Dec 05, 2008

The 110 workers losing their jobs at Thermo King in Galway and the sheep farmers picketing outside the Department of Agriculture would be much more concerned with their future economic circumstances than with a possible second Lisbon Referendum.

E-paper

Read this weeks E-paper. Past editions also available from within this weeks digital copy.