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.”

Planned Ballinrobe project could create up to 400 jobs

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

A planning application before Mayo County Council could lead to the development of 400 jobs in Ballinrobe, the Mayo Advertiser has learned. And during the construction phase of this mixed use development, a further 200 jobs would be created.

Family homes may be ‘acquired’ for new dual carriageway

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

The emerging preferred route option of the 40 kilometre, dual carriageway from Westport to Bohola—which will merge with the Ballina to Bohola section—was announced by the Mayo National Roads Design Office on Wednesday.

Two per cent rate increase sought by County Council

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

Next Monday’s Mayo County Council budget meeting is sure to see a vivacious debate on the issue of rate increases for business in 2009. County Manager Des Mahon informed the monthly meeting of the authority that the council would be seeking a two per cent increase in the rate for 2009. The news was not greeted well by the majority of the members present, Ballinrobe-based Fine Gael Cllr Patsy O’Brien had a motion on the agenda calling on the council not to increase either the water charges or the rate for 2009. Cllr O’Brien’s proposal received support from both sides of the house. The councillor said: “In this current climate, there should be no increase, because the fact is that many small business in the county which have been the backbone of the rural economy for many years are only barely surviving at the minute.” He went on to put a proposal to the council as to how the rate should be struck for each business on a case by case basis. “I think it would be much fairer to calculate the rate as a percentage of the overall turnover of a business for a year, rather than the flat rate we have at the minute.”

€1 million to cut every Mayo hedge

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

It would cost Mayo County Council in the region of €1 million a year to cut every hedge on roadsides in the county.

Weekend festive fun at the Quarter

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

The season of goodwill is well under way in Castlebar Quarter Shopping and there’s more festive fun in store.

Handling of the pork crisis not good enough, says wholesaler Connolly

Fri, Dec 12, 2008

The handling of the recent pork crisis by the Government has been lambasted as not good enough by Fine Gael councillor and pork wholesaler Cllr Tom Connolly. The Claremorris based councillor was not mincing his words when he spoke to the Mayo Advertiser this week. “The whole handling of the situation has been messed up from the beginning. While food safety is of the utmost importance to everyone involved in the industry the way this has been dealt with has been a massive blow to the industry in a time of economic turmoil. It’s been almost a week since the recall was announced and now only today (Thursday, December 11) are things getting back to normal. But you’re still looking at it being the middle of the week next week before things get back to normal.”

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