Search Results for 'Taoiseach and the Minister'

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.

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.”

Michelle Mulherin, Mayo Fine Gael TD, has welcomed the funding announcement of €2.4 million to restore the N59 between Crossmolina and Bellacorick. She said: "The €2.4 million funding will be used to restore the N59 between Crossmolina, through Carrowkilleen, Dooleeg, and to the far side of Bellacorrick. This is very good news for all those who use the N59 which has suffered severe wear and tear due to the heavy traffic, to and from the Corrib gas project, and the installation of the Bord Gáis pipeline, over recent years. I am delighted that €2.4 million in funding is being made available by the NRA, having raised the issue with the Minister for Transport and Tourism Leo Varadkar in the Dail and asked him the plans and priority he, and the National Roads Authority had, to bring the entire section of this road up to standard. This road is the main artery for business and tourism between Ballina and Belmullet and Erris and I am delighted to have been able to help bring about this substantial investment in this road.”

The future of plans for the redevelopment of Galway Port depends on the wording of a ports policy statement due to be considered by the Cabinet in the coming weeks.

A grant of €18 million has been sanctioned for regional and local roads in Mayo for 2013, down almost €2 million on last year’s allocation.

Mayo Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin has requested the assistance of the Western Development Commission (WDC) in drawing up a plan for the future development of Ireland West Airport Knock as an aviation hub for the region. After meeting with Deputy Mulherin, the WDC has agreed to investigate the opportunities and obstacles for the development of Knock so as to inform policy on transport connectivity for the region.

The HSE’s handling of the inquiry into the tragic death of the 31-year-old dentist Savita Halappanavar at University Hospital Galway last month has been slammed as “shambolic” by the chairperson of the HSE West’s regional health forum.

A call has been made for a fundamental reform of the way palliative care services are delivered in the west.

Mayo Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony, has moved to allay fears over the future of medical cover at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Castlebar but concerns are still being expressed regarding the future of the facility.

Ballina based Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin this week said that the chance of seeing an upgrade of the N26 is coming back on track. Dep Mulherin said: “I am absolutely delighted to be informed today by Leo Varadkar, Minister for Transport, that a Strategic Transport Study for the N26 Phase II will now be conducted to identify an alternative national road connection to Ballina. I am relieved and very pleased that the N26 is back on track again after the many meetings I have had with the Taoiseach and the Minister for Transport to progress the project. I have left no stone unturned in that regard.”