Holiday home levies collected in Mayo should stay in Mayo - Munnelly

Fri, Nov 21, 2008

At a recent meeting of Mayo County Council, Fine Gael Councilor for the Ballina electoral area Jarlath Munnelly questioned County Manager, Des Mahon, on the introduction of a new €200 levy on houses which are not the owner’s principal residence. This levy was introduced as part of Budget 2009 by the Minister for Finance, Brian Lenihan.

Suckler Welfare Scheme payments to begin – Carty

Fri, Nov 21, 2008

Payments under the 2008 Suckler Welfare Scheme will began this week, according to Mayo Fianna Fáil Senator and government spokesperson on agriculture in Seanad Éireann, John Carty.

Time to review Artists Tax Exemption - Ring

Fri, Nov 21, 2008

A move by the Government to reveal the names and details of payments made to farmers by the EU but to withhold information regarding the top ten artists in receipt of tax exemptions has been strongly criticised.

One-stop recreational centres proposed for Mayo towns

Fri, Nov 21, 2008

A proposal by Sinn Fein County Councillor Gerry Murray that all the key towns in Mayo should have a one-stop recreational centre is currently been rolled out by Mayo County Council via the county’s local area plans, according to the Charlestown representative.

Tough decisions for councils in light of budget cuts

Fri, Nov 21, 2008

Labour's county council candidate for the Westport electoral area has said that Mayo's local authorities will have tough decisions to make in regard to their budgets following an announcement by Environment Minister John Gormley that local authorities are to have their budgets cut back by almost seven per cent.

More under-70s now getting medical cards - Flynn

Fri, Nov 21, 2008

The increase in the income threshold for the over-70s medical card is resulting in additional under-70s receiving the benefits, according to Beverley Flynn TD, member of the Oireachtas Health Committee.

Getting in touch with the electorate

Fri, Nov 14, 2008

Hands up who can name the three MEPs who now represent you in the European Parliament. Mayo people will know Fine Gael’s Jim Higgins, who are the other two? They are Fianna Fáil’s Seán Ó Neachtain and independent Marian Harkin. Another quick question: what constituency are we in? If you said Connacht-Ulster you’d be wrong; since the 2004 European elections it’s the North West. Why? Because since then Co Clare has been lumped in with the three Ulster counties and five Connacht counties. But enough of the political lessons. Buncranna town councillor and Donegal county councillor Pádraig Mac Lochlainn is the latest person to throw his hat in the ring for next year’s European elections. The Donegal native has been one of the driving forces in Sinn Féin’s reshuffle since their poorer than expected results in the last general election and was the director of elections for the party on last year’s Lisbon Treaty referendum, where Sinn Féin were one of the leading groups urging people to reject the treaty, which it ultimately was.

Grassroots

Fri, Nov 14, 2008

Like marathons, election campaigns are long journeys more often suited to the long distance runner then to the sprinter. As on all long journeys events can happen and change predictions that seemed definite at the outset, this is especially true when it’s a political journey. Bear that in mind as we begin the coverage of the local election campaign scheduled for next June. If Madame Editor allows, this scribe will return to my predictions when the ballots are cast and counted to see how wrong (or right!) I was!

I feel that Fine Gael have got their bounce in Mayo already. They are riding high in the national polls (and still will be in June) but that will not impact on Mayo given their already high level of support here. Independents are the dark horses in any local election - each area will have some.

The incurable optimist - Johnny Mee

Fri, Nov 14, 2008

When the ballot papers are marked from first preference to last in next June’s local elections, there will be one familiar name and face missing from in the Castlebar area. After 34 years of service on Castlebar Town Council (previously the Urban District Council) and 17 years on Mayo County Council, Labour and Castlebar’s Johnny Mee has decided to step away from the council chambers and leave the political scene to a younger generation.

Barrett outlines some traffic solutions for Castlebar’s gridlock

Fri, Nov 14, 2008

Castlebar Town Council must act immediately to ease the traffic gridlock in the town, according to Labour PRO Harry Barrett. “As Christmas approaches, we will see the town come to a standstill and emergency services put at risk if action is not taken,” he added.

Ring speaks out for young farmers

Fri, Nov 14, 2008

Fine Gael’s spokesperson for Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Michael Ring, again this week in the Dáil questioned the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Brendan Smith TD, in relation to the suspension of the Young Farmers’ Installation Scheme.

O’Brien pushes for action on broadband availability

Fri, Nov 14, 2008

Following an admission by Minister Eamon Ryan that the Government’s scheme to ensure nationwide access to broadband will not be completed until 2010, Councillor Patsy O’Brien has again raised the issue at a local level.

“The Government had promised that broadband would be universally available by 2005 – instead of that rural areas are still suffering, and in regards to the Ballinrobe electoral area, several villages such as Hollymount are still on the waiting list.”

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