Chambers welcomes new strategic action plan for the National Parks and Wildlife Service

Fri, May 13, 2022

Local Fianna Fáil Senator Lisa Chambers has welcomed the publication of a new strategic action plan for the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) following Government approval. The plan sets out an ambitious timeline for a full organisational restructuring of the NPWS, and a substantial €55 million additional investment in the organisation across three budgetary cycles, together with the early recruitment of 60 key staff for critically important roles. Senator Chambers commented: "The renewal of the National Parks and Wildlife Service is the keystone action in this Government’s response to the biodiversity emergency and I am delighted to see a suite of strategic actions to transform the organisation, which have now been approved at Cabinet. The NPWS will be established as an executive agency, giving it a strong identity and voice to speak for nature. The funding commitment will enable the NPWS to embrace Ireland’s ambitions for nature and help us begin to turn the tide on biodiversity loss." This strategic action plan aims to deliver an NPWS that is more resilient, better resourced, and better equipped to play its part in Ireland’s response to the biodiversity emergency, on the national and international stage. The plan will equip the NPWS with the organisational capability and supporting structures to enable it to deliver its mandate in protecting our natural heritage. The announcement fulfils an important commitment in the Programme for Government, providing for a significant investment in, and a renewal of, the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This renewal is underpinned by a comprehensive, expert review of the organisation, which has now been completed by independent authors. The strategic action plan is designed to implement and deliver upon the recommendations made by the review.

The Movement for Choice will mobilise against any religious influence over the NMG - Daly

Fri, May 13, 2022

"Any form of religious influence at National Maternity Hospital would see political backlash and would ignite the choice movement on the streets," said People Before Profit representative in Mayo Joe Daly. Mr Daly has called on the Government to heed calls by Dr Peter Boylan, as well as several of the HSEs own board members, regarding outstanding concerns over the future ownership of the National Maternity Hospital. He stated: "That any hint of religious influence over the provision of abortion and sterilisation services in the new National Maternity Hospital would see a political backlash that would ignite the choice movement on the streets. The Movement for Choice will mobilise against any deal that would see any form of curtailment of abortion services in the National Maternity Hospital. The Government and Minister for Health now need to come before the Dáil and make a statement on this matter."

Flynn told to stay out of Claremorris business and get his facts right

Fri, May 06, 2022

A Councillor in the Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District has told a fellow Mayo County Councillor to get his "facts right" and to "keep his nose out of the business of Claremorris" - following a meeting of the local Municipal District this week.

Ballycastle primary school students light up with 'Growth'

Fri, May 06, 2022

Parents, grandparents, children, neighbours and friends packed out the Ballinglen Art Foundation in North Mayo on Friday last, at the launch a wonderful exhibition called ‘’Growth’’ - of 70 lantern light boxes , created by the children of Scoil Naomh Bríd Primary School in Ballycastle.

Achill Island RNLI assist with Bank Holiday medical evacuation on Inisturk

Fri, May 06, 2022

Achill Island RNLI responded to a request for assistance with the medical evacuation of a patient on Inisturk on Bank Holiday Monday.

Michael Moran recognised by Westport Chamber with Special Award

Fri, May 06, 2022

Westport Chamber of Commerce has paid tribute to local employer and business owner, Michael Moran, after presenting him with a Special Award in recognition of his five decades of dedicated service to his adopted town.

Online Mayo PPN event next Wednesday

Fri, May 06, 2022

Mayo Public Participation Network (PPN) Community Information Evening will take place online on Wednesday, May 11 at 7pm.

Census participants asked to post back forms

Fri, May 06, 2022

Census field staff and enumerators have all worked extremely hard to ensure a successful census. The CSO would like to extend its appreciation of their efforts and thank them and the public for their support of and participation in the census.

Cavendish Lane and Spencer Street – Castlebar street names

Fri, May 06, 2022

Anyone who has watched 'The Duchess', the 2008 film adaptation of Amanda Foreman's excellent biography of Georgiana Cavendish, Duchess of Devonshire, will be aware of the sad parallels between the life of Georgiana and Lady Diana Spencer. Georgiana's maiden name was Spencer; she was Diana's four times great aunt. Spencer Street, Spencer Park and the former Spencer Park House took their names from the Spencer family. In 1781, Lady Lavinia Bingham, daughter of Charles Bingham, 1st Earl of Lucan, married George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer. George was Georgiana's brother.

Grave state of affairs over council upkeep of Mayo graveyards

Fri, May 06, 2022

The general upkeep and management of public graveyards in Mayo is so poor that people are having to ask local representatives to advise them where to place the bodies of loved ones within the burial plot while one graveyard near Westport is filling up so fast, people will soon end up having to be buried 'on the side of the road'.

Croí teams up with pharmacies across Mayo to offer free blood pressure checks for the month of May

Fri, May 06, 2022

Did you know that uncontrolled high blood pressure can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke? The Croí Third Age Mayo programme, which aims to promote healthy cardiovascular ageing, is delighted to partner with local pharmacies across Mayo for the month of May to offer free blood pressure checks to anyone who has not had their blood pressure checked in the past year, with a particular focus on those over 55 years of age.

Shane flies the flag proudly for Castlebar Macra at Mr Personality Festival 2022

Fri, May 06, 2022

The 15th Mr Personality Festival 2022 took place recently in the Springhill Court Hotel in Kilkenny and was won by Castlebar Macra (Mayo) entrant - Shane Quigley.

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