Kiltimagh Sewerage Scheme discussed with Gormley

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

A delegation from County Mayo, led by the Cathaoirleach Councillor Joe Mellett, met with the Minister for the Environment John Gormley in Dáil Éireann recently.

O’Mahony accuses Flynn of failing Mayo schools

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony has highlighted the effect of Government budgetary cutbacks on schools in the county before the Oireachtas Education and Science Committee.

It’s disgraceful that people are being forced to emigrate - Kenny

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny TD has reminded anyone wishing to partake in the United States Visa Lottery that the deadline is fast approaching. The official deadline for applications is Monday December 1. A total of 132 applications from Ireland were successful for the 2009 Visa and anyone who is successfully selected in the 2010 Visa Lottery should expect to receive notification in May/June 2009. The website for accessing the application form can be downloaded from http://www.dvlottery.state.gov/ and instructions are provided on how to partake in the lottery.

Flynn welcomes HSE campaign on elder abuse

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

A campaign to highlight the issue of elder abuse launched by the Health Service Executive has been welcomed by Fianna Fáil TD and member of the Oireachtas Health Committee, Beverley Flynn.

Calleary welcomes changes to the proposed travel tax

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary has welcomed the changes to the proposed travel tax as confirmed by the Minister for Finance last Friday in the Finance Bill.

Sinn Féin oppose CAP reform

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Sinn Féin North West EU Candidate Pádraig Mac Lochlainn hascriticised Agriculture Minister Brendan Smith for capitulating on the issue of increased modulation during the current CAP reform discussions. Cllr Mac Lochlainn reiterated Sinn Féin’s opposition to increasing the amount of modulation on farmers’ payments, noting that in effect the increase amounts to a cut in the Single Farm Payment putting further pressure on farm incomes.

Cllr Mac Lochlainn said “The farming community is still reeling from the array of savage cuts in agriculture contained within the Government’s 2009 budget, and its affects will hit hardest farmers in the west of Ireland. The suspension of the Young Farmers’ Installation Aid programme in tandem with the same fate for the Early Retirement Scheme has been a massive blow to the farming community. Those seeking to enter the farming sector and older farmers wishing to make way for the next generation have both been failed by this budget. In addition cuts to the Disadvantaged Area Aid and Suckler Cow Welfare Schemes will result in almost halving the existing supports to the states most vulnerable low-income farmers.

Small towns in Mayo hit once more – O’Mahony

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

The decision by Permanent TSB to close their agencies in Swinford, Ballyhaunis and Crossmolina is another body blow for small Mayo towns, said Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony.

Carty welcomes €170m CAP Health Check

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

The CAP Health Check negotiated for Ireland by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, will deliver some €170 million to Irish farmers over the next five years.

No decision yet on timing of further lottery sports grants

Fri, Nov 28, 2008

Mayo Deputy Michael Ring has this week in the Dáil questioned the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism on the availability of the Sports Capital Programme for 2009.

Walking the independent line

Fri, Nov 21, 2008

“If you believe in something, I think you have to be able to speak on it and not being tied to a party line as an independent allows me to do that.”

The travelling Mayor

Fri, Nov 21, 2008

“If I have to travel three hours home in the evening I don’t mind as long as I get home,” explains Castlebar Mayor Kevin Guthrie, who is pulled over on the road somewhere between Clara, Co Offaly and Castlebar on a Tuesday evening as he speaks to the Mayo Advertiser. Midway through his term as the first citizen of Castlebar the Fine Gael town councillor is enjoying holding the chain of office for the first time, even if it does mean when he finally makes that three-hour trip after work he might not see his home for too long before he’s out the door again on official duty.