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Serious questions about Government impartiality and independence over controversial plans to construct a massive salmon farm off Inis Óirr have been raised following the emergence of minutes from a meeting between the Taoiseach and a fish farm industry giant.

Mayo Fianna Fáil TD Dara Calleary says the Taoiseach must sideline the spin and honour the commitments he made about Ireland West Airport Knock.  Enda Kenny made a promise before the 2011 General Election that he would ‘do whatever he needed for Knock’ if he became Taoiseach. Deputy Calleary commented this week: “The time for talking is long gone and what we need to see from the Taoiseach is action, and a follow through on the commitments he gave to airport officials before he assumed office.  Ireland West Airport Knock needs a cash injection in the upcoming Budget in order to secure its survival and it is up to the Taoiseach and Minister Paschal Donohoe to deliver on pre-election promises. This airport proves its worth on a daily basis.  It employs over 100 people and has seen more than 700,000 passengers pass through its doors this year alone. It brings millions of euro into the local economy and its benefits are felt right across the west and north west. It is a vital part of the tourism infrastructure in the region and its future must be secured.”

Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Jobs and Enterprise Dara Calleary has accused the Government of engaging in an arrogant and highly misleading campaign on pylons. The Ballina based Dáil deputy said this week: “The comments from the Taoiseach and the Minister Pat Rabbitte this week show just out of touch this Government has become. It clearly demonstrates that the Government has absolutely no intention of taking on board the genuine concerns of communities and intends to just press ahead with the large scale construction of overhead lines regardless of any objections.”

Next Monday’s meeting of Mayo County Council will see a number of different motions come before the councillors in relation to different strands of energy issues in the county including the Eirgrid project. Independent councillor Michael Kilcoyne has one motion calling “that Mayo County Council invite Dr David Connolly, who is a renewable energy expert and native of Ballyhaunis, to give a presentation to the members of Mayo County Council so we might learn from the experience of the windy western counties of Denmark, and their efforts to achieve a situation where 100% of their energy requirement is supplied by renewable energy and where renewable energy is the largest employer. Dr. David Connolly is now assistant professor in Aalborg University, Denmark.”

Fianna Fáil councillor Jimmy Maloney has called for the numerous community groups who have concerns about the potential Eirgrid project in the county to be provided with funding and can engage the services of a specialist independent consultant so they can be represented and their concerns be put across by an appropriate professional. Cllr Maloney said this week, “I attended the special county council meeting and listened with interest to the presentation given by Eirgrid. I then weighed this up against the numerous calls I had received from the public over the past number of weeks relating to genuine public concern over the Eirgrid proposal. As I see it the only solution for fair and open discussion is to provide the public and community groups with funding to allow them the option of engaging the services of an independent consultant or consultants to represent them at local and national level- Specifically when this process reaches planning stage with An Bord Pleanála. This means that they can request answers to their concerns from the appropriate independent professionals. I further feel that the costs arising from this consultation should be paid for by Eirgrid.”

Last Friday saw the latest meeting of the study group that was established earlier this year to examine the future growth options and the long term viability of Ireland West Airport Knock. The board of the airport is pleased with the progress that has been made so far in this process. Managing director of the airport Joe Gilmore said this week that he is “pleased with the progress that has been made to date” and that despite some “initial concerns with the process”, airport directors and regional representatives have “succeeded in convincing the Department of the strong business case for future investment into the airport and the important role other regional airports can also play”. Ireland West Airport Knock has, he said, “proven its capability in the past in developing an impressive international route network with established airline partners and growing passenger numbers to close to 700,000, of which a large component are returning visitors and new tourists for the region, contributing over €120m in annual revenues. This provides a substantial dividend for the region on an annual basis, in addition to the critical role the airport continues to play for business travellers and commuters to the UK”.

Following last Friday’s meeting of the steering group established earlier this year to examine the options for growth and longer term viability of Ireland West Airport Knock, Managing Director of the Airport Joe Gilmore has stated that the airport is pleased with the progress that has been made to date.

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, John O’Mahony, has commended the Ireland West Airport Knock Study (IWAKS) Group for the substantial work carried out by the group, which was established at the request of the Taoiseach following a meeting at the airport with the board in January. The study group will be reporting on options and opportunities for the growth and development of the airport. Deputy O’Mahony was speaking after the second meeting at the weekend of the IWAKS. “Since the first meeting of IWAKS just over three weeks ago, it was evident that progress has been made on a substantial work programme which the group has identified as being necessary. Included in this programme is to determine the role of the airport in the region and how it can support sectors such as enterprise and tourism.

Three in five participants in JobBridge – the national internship scheme - secure employment following their internship, according to an independent evaluation published on May 1 by Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton.

Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony has announced that An Post is to start discussions with interested parties in Knockmore with a view to providing a post office agency in the parish.