‘The EU has been good for Mayo’ — Higgins

Fri, May 16, 2014

“One of the questions I get on the doorstep is ‘what’s Europe ever done for me?’ The answer is – a lot!” said MEP and European election candidate Jim Higgins. He went on to say this week that “as well as general achievements such as opening up our export and trading market, our membership of the EU has directly benefited Mayo in many, many, ways. One of my biggest priorities in Europe has been the reform and support of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and of this, Mayo has been a big recipient – receiving €22m of CAP single farm payments in 2013 alone. Of the 61,000 jobs created last year, approximately 25,000 were in agriculture. I’d be the first to say that agriculture is driving our economic recovery and that’s why I fought to safeguard the CAP budget. The new CAP will provide Irish farmers with €12.5 billion from 2014-2020, so that our agriculture sector has the support it needs to prosper.”

Privatising of Seaweed business concerns politicians

Fri, May 16, 2014

The sale of Arramara Teoranta to a private Canadian company, Acadian, is the first step in the privatisation of seaweed and other natural resources found along the seashore according to Sinn Féin councillor Rose Conway-Walsh. Cllr Conway-Walsh said: “The sale of this public asset jeopardises the harvesting rights of seaweed cutters and those who have used seaweed along the Mayo coast for generations. In spite of protestations from the Government that there was no intention to sell off the State-owned Arramara it is now clear that I and my colleagues, Senator Trevor O’Clochartaigh and EU candidate Matt Carthy, were correct in relaying information to constituents that background discussions were taking place to push the sale through without consultation. Erris Seaweed Action Group will continue to work with the Connemara Action Group and other communities to provide a strong cohesive voice to protect the rights of seaweed cutters and coastal communities.” Cllr Conway-Walsh concluded saying: “There is no doubt that there is great untapped potential along our coast for greater use of seaweed and for job creation by adding value to the potential harvest there. But it will only benefit our own people if that harvesting and processing is controlled by the communities living there by way of co-operatives or some similar community based approach. Sinn Féin is encouraging land owners to check their land folios to establish their harvesting rights and coastal communities to work together to ensure the rights to cut seaweed and benefits arising from processing this natural resource are held by communities using a fair trade co-operative model.”

Council needs money to buy property for jobs — Barrett

Fri, May 16, 2014

"The strong political clout that we have in this county should be focused on providing the funding to acquire NAMA property in Castlebar for industrial production,” said Labour Party Castlebar town councillor and Mayo County Council candidate Harry Barrett.

Holmes calls for take-over of LIS access roads

Fri, May 16, 2014

Independent councillor Michael Holmes has called on Mayo County Council to take charge of semi-private access roads across the county which have been affected by the drastic reduction of Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) funding in recent years. Speaking at a Belmullet Electoral Area meeting last week, Holmes said it was unrealistic and unfair to ask people to pay for the maintenance of certain access roads through their villages and townlands.

Family of missing Achill man attend Dutch hearing

Fri, May 09, 2014

The family of missing Achill man James P (JP) Grealis will find out in just under four weeks if they have been successful in their long campaign to have an investigation into his disappearance in the Netherlands reopened.

Masterpiece for sale to ‘secure future of Westport House’

Fri, May 09, 2014

A rare life-size masterpiece by a 19th century French sculptor, which has stood in Westport House for generations, is to be auctioned by Sotheby’s to secure the future of the stately home.

Campaign launched to support Mayo pubs

Fri, May 09, 2014

A new report has found the drinks industry supports 3,781 jobs in Mayo, generating €84 million in wages in the county.

Talk on the ‘blue resource’

Fri, May 09, 2014

A number of speakers on marine tourism will be Mulranny on May 19 to talk about how entrepreneurs can ‘Capture the Blue Resource’.

Choral delights in store as international festival arrives

Fri, May 09, 2014

More than 1,000 singers will be on song in Mayo next week for the International Choral Festival.

Call for harsh punishment on assault against gardaí

Fri, May 09, 2014

Assaults against members of the gardaí are rising to an “alarming” rate.

That is according to Ballina based deputy Dara Calleary, who is calling for a minimum five-year jail term for anyone who assaults a member of the Garda or an emergency worker.

Young Mayo coders impress at Google HQ

Fri, May 09, 2014

Three young computer whizzes from Mayo showed off their puzzle cracking, coding skills in Goodle headquarters in Dublin for the first Google Call to Code competition.

Funding announced for unfinished estates

Fri, May 09, 2014

Four unfinished housing estates in Mayo are to benefit from €245,727 in funding.

Minister for Housing and Planning, Jan O’Sullivan, announced the funding for Barley Hill Court in Bohola (€75,000); Highland Park in Kilkelly (€45,000); Annagh Village, Lahardaun (€40,000); and Bracklaboy in Ballyhaunis (€84,000).

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