Mayo Garda changes

Labour's Cllr Keith Martin has welcomed the publication of the 2009 Garda Policing Plan.  The plan contains some small changes to the Mayo Division with Enniscrone Sub-District and Easkey Sub-District moving from the Mayo Division to the Sligo/Leitrim Division and the Kilmovee ED moving from Roscommon/Longford Division to the Mayo Division.  Also the Townland of Bellaghy, in Sligo/Leitrim, will be retained by Charlestown Sub-District.

The Garda Síochána Policing Plans 2008 and 2009 outline the Garda Commissioner's plans to change Regional and Divisional boundaries to realign Garda geographical areas with local authority boundaries.  The overall initiative is managed by a Programme Board which is chaired by an Assistant Commissioner from Garda Headquarters.

 

Cllr Martin says he welcomes the move to align Garda Divisions with county's saying "it is important that people are policed by the local force as Community policing is the best way to tackle crime and to build up a relationship between the community and the Gardai"

According to Cllr Keith Martin "The plan also lays out the priorities for the force for the coming year and I will be having an input into the policing of the Westport area as a member of the Westport Policing Committee.  On that committee I will be highlighting the concerns of those in the town and countryside in relation to break-ins, speeding and public order and will ensure that the Gardai tackle these issues head on."

 

"I look forward to working with Superintendent Pat Doyle and his team in highlighting the issues and areas that need real attention in and outside of the town.  I share the aims of the Garda Policing Plan 2009 in combating public disorder, speeding, and preventing break-ins." 

Martin goes to Brussels

I had a pre-Christmas taste of Brussels when I recently travelled to the EU to discuss the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP) with MEP Proinsias De Rossa. Mayo have five major water and sewerage schemes delayed by the (PPP) process.

Can you spot me above?

Christmas Party Raffle

Mike Murphy was the winner of the raffle prize at my Christmas Party last night!

New N5 vital to Enterprise in West - IBEC- Penrose- Martin

Photo:  Westport Chamber of Commerce met with Eamon Gilmore and Cllr Keith Martin during the Labour Leader's visit to Mayo

Cllr Keith Martin recently met with the chair of the Oireachtas Committee on Enterprise, Labour's Deputy Willie Penrose, to discuss the issue of Enterprise in Mayo, and in particular to highlight the condition of the N5 road and its negative effect on possible future commercial development in Mayo.

Cllr Martin met with Deputy Penrose in Carrick-on-Shannon last week to discuss the challenge of getting investment into the west and in particular the dire condition of the N5 from Westport to Longford.  Cllr Martin says "Deputy Penrose is well aware of the need to invest in the west to create employment and of the need for proper infrastructure to attract business investment.  Deputy Penrose informed me that his Committee had recently met with IBEC and that the issue of the N5 was discussed in relation to Westport's pharmaceutical industry and future investment. 

"Deputy Penrose as chair of the Oireachtas Enterprise Committee and as a TD for Longford is well aware of the need for a new N5.

"The issue of a new N5 and infrastructure investment such as high-speed broadband was also raised by Westport Chamber of Commerce and I, with the leader of the Labour Party, Deputy Eamon Gilmore during his recent visit to Mayo.  It is fair to say that the Labour Party is well aware of our needs here in Mayo and I will continue to highlight our needs within the Labour Party and nationally."

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Meeting with MEP DeRossa in EU Parliment

The delay in providing much needed water and sewerage schemes in Mayo due to the Polluter Pays Principle (PPP) could soon be the subject of an investigation by the European Commission following a recent meeting between Labour's Cllr Keith Martin and Labour MEP Proinsias De Rossa.  Labour's Cllr Keith Martin met with Mr De Rossa in the European Parliament last week to discuss the issue of the five stalled water and sewerage schemes in Mayo.  Cllr Keith Martin was part of a delegation of Labour Party councillors and representatives who travelled to Brussels to met with Mr De Rossa.

Currently Mayo has no less than five major sewerage and water schemes on hold due to a failure to meet the massive financial requirements under the Polluter Pays Principle under the European Water Framework Directive.

According to Cllr Martin "Achill has been waiting 30 years for a sewerage scheme, Westport and Louisburgh are waiting for an connection to the Lough Mask, Kilitmagh is waiting on both a water connection to Lough Mask and a sewerage scheme, while Ballina is also waiting on an extension to its water supply system.

"The numbers involved are huge for example, the Lough Mask connection to Westport and Louisburgh will cost €28m of which €8.5m is the County Council's payment under the Polluter Pays Principle, for the Kiltimagh sewerage Mayo County Council must pay €2.3m, for the area's water scheme the cost is €22m with a (PPP) contribution of €6m.

"These are huge sums of money and until they are found these schemes are on hold.  There is also no discrimination between rural and urban areas or extra support for the BMW region. 

"When I met with Mr De Rossa I outlined the situation to him and he was very receptive and has offered his full support in seeking a solution which will allow these vital water and sewerage schemes to go ahead.  Mr De Rossa believes there may be a problem in how the Irish Government currently interprets the Water Directive and I am going to investigate the issue of implementation at local, national and European level. 

"There whole area of actual responsibility is a very grey area as local authorities blame national government , who then blame the EU; but I am not interested in assigning blame, I want to identify the real problem and find a solution.  I have requested a full report on the impact of the Polluter Pays Principal in Mayo from the County Manager and I have also requested that the Department of the Environment do the same. 

"As a last resort Mr De Rossa will assist me in putting together a petition for a full investigation of Mayo's five stalled projects by the European Commission.  It is obscene that Achill is waiting 30 years and that Westport faces water quality issues because of the delay in extending the Lough Mask Scheme to Westport and Louisburgh.  Its time to stop the blame game and to find a solution."

086 0691182

Cllr Keith Martin, 086 0691182, www.councillorkeithmartin.com

Great Train Robbery

Cllr Keith Martin says the decision by Irish Rail to impose parking charges at Westport Railway Station is the new "Great Train Robbery".

 

Irish Rail will charge €2 per day or €8 per week for cars parked at the station or in the station car park from next Monday 8th December.  Cars which do not display their parking ticket will be clamped and owners will have to pay €120 to have the clamp removed.

 

Cllr Martin says "as Westport is a rural station with no bus links people using the train service have no option but to use their cars to get to the station particularly for the early train.  While people in the town can walk or get taxis Irish Rail customers from the countryside have no option but to drive into town and park up at the station."

 

"Irish Rail are already charging too much for train tickets, especially for family and student tickets which are more expensive than the Galway line.  This new charge is another disincentive to use the train service.  As using the train gets more expensive more and more people will use their cars for the journey to Dublin.

 

"Westport is not a commuter town, nor is it well served by bus routes or rural transport schemes and for Irish Rail to impose parking charges is just another stealth tax which is part of the new "Great Train Robbery" which has seen us lose our hot food dining cars in the name of progress.  Irish Rail should reverse this new parking charge, bring back dining cars and ensure 'fair' fares on the Westport line for families and students."

The big chair

Its not many chairs that can make me seem small but this huge chair in the Hotel Kilkenny succeeded!

Collecting an award in Kilkenny

Pictured: Labour Party President Michael D Higgins presenting Johnny Mee's award for long service to the party to Cllr Keith Martin who accepted the award on Cllr Mee's behalf.  Cllr Mee received the award for his decades of service to the party at Labour's 2008 conference in Kilkenny last week.

My favourite bit of the Kilkenny Conference.......

"We are neither Fianna Fáil, nor Fine Gael. We are Labour."  Eamon Gilmore stakes out Labour's position as an alternative government party.

Webcasting from the Labour Party Conference 2008

Here's my webcast from the Labour Party Conference in Kilkenny 2008.

Why not join the Labour Party in Mayo?  

Sunday at the Labour Conference

Live from the floor here in Kilkenny we are discussing the 21st century commission's reform proposals.

As the Labour Party closes on our 100 year anniversary we are looking at how the party is run and how it organises itself.

I welcome the reflection but I won't support a proposal to form "New" Labour.

Why not join the Labour Party?

Gilmore for Taoiseach

It was a great night to be in Kilkenny and the place went wild after Eamon Gilmore's speech.

There was also hundreds of red handsigns emblazoned with the slogan "Gilmore for Taoiseach". They looked really well and are a marker of the confidence of the membership in the leader and in ourselves. I think last night was a watershed moment for us.

Time will tell, but in the meantime all I can really say is GILMORE FOR TAOISEACH!

Eamon Gilmore

Seems I was right to call Eamon Gilmore's speech historic as he has staked out a place for us as a viable political party with the solution to the current crisis.

His speech was one of hope not fear and of possibilities not limitations.  He has outlined the steps we would take to tackle the current challenges and to set this country right.  

Eamon spoke about how we need a "Government which knows that, in difficult times, children still need to go to clean, warm schools; that people still need to go to hospital; that people losing their jobs need a hand up, not a hand out."

And that "because Labour is the Party of the Common Good.  We are neither Fianna Fáil, nor Fine Gael. We are Labour.

The days of Labour being Fine Gael's "B-Team" are over!

Ready for the Leader's speech

Well it's been an interesting day here in Kilkenny.  My impressions are that we are a party on the cusp of a breakthrough in Irish politics.  There is a sense of history being made as Labour prepares to run as a party in its own right in a political system that is ready to break into a traditional left-right political system.

Only yesterday I read of Fine Gael strengthening its links with the Tory Party in the UK, which indicated that Enda is preparing to take the party further right then it has been since the Blueshirts.

On the other side Fianna Fail are now the party of the right as they have adopted so many of the PDs policies they would be an acceptable coalition partner for Margaret Thatcher herself!

Labour is only party which offers the one thing that we all need right now and that is HOPE!  While FG, FF and the Greens offer the politics of FEAR, Labour is ready to offer solutions and optimism to our current situation.

I expect the Leader to stake out our policies this evening and to make very clear to the voter and the other political parties that the Labour Party is a third party with its own ideas, identity and politices.

Labour Party Conference

The unions seem to be back in the fold here in Kilkenny as the economuc downturn sends them running back to us in the Labour Party. No more cosy teas with Bertie and Co as the government proposes to cut jobs in public services! I think its great to see them back and a bit humble as at last year's Thomas Johnson Summer School Siptu told us that the unions would have to consider if they would wanted to continue to be linked with us! No mention of that today!

blogging from Kilkenny

Hi all, am here down in Kilkenny at the Labour Party conference. Will blog more as conference goes on.

Labour reborn as a third party

I think that we are watching the re-shaping of the Labour Party as a third party in Irish politics. The theme and mood of the speakers so far is one of Us Alone as a party in the local and genaeral elections from now on. I suspect this will be confirmed by Eamon Gilmore in his speech this evening. The Labour is not going to be anyone's B Team from now on. From here on expect the Labour Party to stand on its own two feet with its own policies. - blogging from Kilkenny

Collecting for the winter fuel appeal for Westport's elderly

Planet Bertie a lot like Planet Gormley

Greens in Government-nothing has changed.

How much does Cowen owe you?

Registered to vote

If you want to vote in Westport Town Council or Mayo County Council in the local elections next year you must be on the Electoral Register.

The Electoral Register closes on November 25th 2008.  

To check or register contact the people below

Register of Electors 
Aras an Contae 
The Mall 
Castlebar 
County Mayo 
Phone: 094 90 24444 
Email:RegisterOfElectors@mayococo.ie 

Good video

I kissed Brian Cowen and I liked it - the video!

Click above to watch

Cervical Cancer Vaccine Rally

A rally has been organised tomorrow (Saturday, November 15th) in Dublin meeting at the Spire at 2pm which will be followed by a public meeting in the Teachers' Club on Parnell Square at 3.30pm.

It is incomprehensible that the Government and Minister Harney would announce such a programme only to snatch it away again. If there was a will there would be a way to find the costs which are between €7 and €10million out of the €16billion health budget.

You can show your support by turning up at the rally or by contacting your TD.

In Mayo you should call 

Dara Calleary FF "A fresh approach for Mayo"  

Home:8 Quignalecka, Sligo Road, Ballina, Co Mayo.

Office: 19 Pearse Road, Ballina, Co. Mayo  
Tel: 096 77613 
Fax: 096 78510 

Beverley Flynn

Constituency Office: Newtown, Castlebar, Co. Mayo. 
Tel: 094 9027035 
Fax: 094 9027036 

Robert McKibbin Royal Marine RIP

Like everyone in Westport I am shocked and saddened by the death of Robert McKibben who was just 32.

I was at school with Robert who was a bright, intelligent and funny guy who had loads of friends. I am sure he really enjoyed the camaraderie of the army.

He will be missed by all who knew him.

I would like to extend my sympathies to his family.

Murrisk Development Association

Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore met with the Murrisk Development Association on his recent visit to Mayo.

Back Row: Left to Right: Frank McCarrick, Breda Hyland, (Hon.Sec. MDA) Kevin Kilcoyne, Geraldine Gill, John Tiernan, Tommy Joe Groden.

 

Front: Cathy Grady, Eamon Gilmore, Johnny Groden (Chairman MDA) and Cllr Keith Martin.

Labour's CLlr Keith Martin aims to be big loser!

Labour's Cllr Keith Martin hopes to become Mayo's Biggest Loser!

Labour's Cllr Keith Martin has high hopes of being crowned Mayo's Biggest Loser on December 18^th.  The Labour councillor has signed up for Western Alzheimer's pre-Christmas fundraising weight loss competition.  He weighed in last Monday along with others throughout Mayo.

Western Alzheimer's Mayo's Biggest Loser competition aims to raise money through sponsored weight loss.  Last year over 60 people throughout Mayo took part.

According to Cllr Keith Martin "Its all for a good cause in the run up to Christmas and it won't do me any harm either.  I have had a great response so far and it will do me no harm to cut out the grub and get a bit more exercise.  I want to be a political heavy weight not just a heavy weight."

The overall winners last year were Pat Feeney from Ballyhaunis and Catherine McLoughlin, Ballindine. Western Alzheimers would like to thank the two main sponsors for once again coming on board this year, Eddie Murphy Menswear in Ballyhaunis and Mary Campbell of Campbell Fashions in Swinford.

Keith's sponsorship cards are available at Westport Library and every cent raised goes to help Western Alzheimers. To sponsor Keith pop into Westport Library or call him on 086 0691182.

Anti Knock AIr Tax must go!

The Government's €10 travel tax must be scrapped immediately as it is an unfair "anti-West" tax that will destroy years of progress at Knock Airport according to Labour's Cllr Keith Martin.

 

The new tax means that passengers using Knock Airport will have to pay a €10 tax to travel to all UK airports while passengers using Dublin Airport will only be charged €2 for many UK flights.

 

Cllr Martin says "The head of Ireland West, Mr. Liam Scollan, has again described the 'devastating' impact the €10 travel tax will have on Knock Airport with a drop in passenger numbers of between 5 and 10% and a loss of up to €10.5 million in tourism revenue. The new tax scheme as it is currently set to operate would also penalise passengers travelling from airports in the West by charging them the higher €10 rate to travel to key UK destinations like Liverpool, Manchester and Glasgow.

 

"This is an unjust tax as it favours the east coast with a €2 tax compared with a €10 for the west.  This is an unprecedented tax based on pure geography and it cannot be allowed to stand."

 

According to the Labour candidate Minister Éamon Ó'Cuiv is "talking out of his hat when he says the tax cannot be changed because of European Law.  "It was introduced under the government's budget and it can be removed by the government.  It is rubbish and cynical misdirection to suggest otherwise.

 

"Already Aer Lingus have announced that the introduction of the new air travel tax would cost them as much as €30 million annually in administrative and other costs.  The cost benefit analysis of the air travel tax seems to have gone seriously askew given that it will cost just one airline €30 million per annum to administer this tax and Minister Lenihan has estimated that the new tax will yield just €95 million in 2009 and €150 million in a full year. This is apart from the massively negative impact it will have on tourism and other supporting industries, especially in the West and Mid West.  This is an unfair tax, a bad tax and and anti-West tax and it must go!"

Mayo County Council interest rates to drop

According to Labour's Cllr Keith Martin, homeowners with variable mortgages from Mayo County Council can look forward to a 0.5% drop from December 1^st.  This rate reduction is a result of the European Central Banks (ECB) reduction in its interest rates.

 

Cllr Martin says this is good news and adds that he expects more good news to come.  "It has been predicted that the ECB will lower its rates even further over the coming year.  This means we can expect to see further cuts in interest rates.

 

"I have raised the matter with Mayo County Council who informed me that they have been obliged to reduce the variable rate on Council Loans by 0.5% as per a Directive they received from the Housing Finance Agency which is effective from December 1st 2008.  The County Council have informed me that their customers will be notified of the cut in due course."

 

"I would trust that the Housing Finance Agency will continue to pass on interest rates cuts via Mayo County Council customers in a prompt manner."

 

Corrib Forum welcome

Cllr Keith Martin has warmly welcomed the decision to establish a Corrib Gas Forum  aimed at resolving the ongoing Corrib gas dispute.

 

Cllr Martin says "This whole issue has been handled badly at local and national level.  A solution will not be easy to find but this is the first step.  I also think there have been errors on both sides but the bulk of the responsibility lies with Shell and the Government who have trodden on the rights of locals from day one and who have allowed our nation's natural resources to be exploited to no benefit of the country."

 

At the 2007 Labour Party Conference in Wexford, Cllr Martin and the Westport Branch of the Labour Party, voted in support of a motion, moved by UCD and Dublin South branches calling for the Shell project to be moved off shore and for the terms of the agreement, whereby the state makes nothing in revenue and does not receive a discounted price on the gas to be re-negotiated.

The motion noted that the land of local residents had been handed over to Shell by compulsory purchasing orders to procure the pipeline's construction. It went on to list negative aspects of the project, and noted that governments led by Fianna Fáil had given corporations involved up to 100 per cent tax write-off.

Letter to Irish Rail

Richard Fearn

Chief Executive 

Irish Rail 

Connolly Station

Dublin 1

November 4, 2008

Dear Mr Fearn,

I am writing to you to ask you why Students and Families pay more for tickets on the Westport to Dublin line compared to those on the Galway to Dublin line.

Ticket prices are identical on both lines for Single, Day Return, 5 Day Return and Monthly Return tickets but there is a large variation for Student and Family tickets.  On the Westport to Dublin line the Student Return ticket, the Family One day ticket and the Family Monthly ticket are €4, €6 and €8 more expensive, respectively.

I would also like an update on the provision of a dining car on the service.

I would also like to ask Irish Rail to remove the plastic publicity stands from the platform at Westport Station.  As you are aware Westport Station is a listed building in a designated Heritage Town and the boards detract from the station's appearance.  I did ask Myles McHugh in person and by correspondence to remove them but I did not receive a reply from him on the matter.

I would like to conclude by welcoming the proposed extra services and the early bird service.  I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely

__________

Keith Martin

Gilmore supports Westport Winter Fuel Appeal

(left to right)

Sean Sammon Chair Mayo Labour Party, Cathaoirleach Cllr Martin Keane, Eamon Gilmore TD, Cllr Keith Martin, Tadgh McNally

Gilmore visit to Westport

Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore recently spent an event packed day with the party's Westport candidate Cllr Keith Martin touring the Westport area and meeting with voluntary groups and organisations to discuss their needs and achievements.

 

The action packed day kicked off with a half hour briefing with the Westport Branch on Labour's election strategy and on the current financial and political situation.

 

This was followed by an in-depth discussion with Westport Civic Trust on the Trust's conservation work and its role in creating awareness of the environment in Westport. 

 

Deputy Gilmore then talked with Simon Cronin and the Westport Chamber of Commerce in relation to Westport's infrastructure needs, namely the need for a new N5 to Castlebar and an upgrading of the existing road network to Dublin.  The lack of high speed broadband was also discussed as was the pressure that increased rates would likely have on local businesses.

 

Then Deputy Gilmore and Cllr Martin dropped in on the local newspaper and then on to the Cove Youth Café where they were given a tour of the café and its facilities before they visited the Family Resource Centre where Marese McAleer outlined the centre's work and its services.

 

The party then travelled up Altamont Street where Assistant Town Clerk Claire Ryan and Housing Officer Christina Murray gave him a brief tour of the council's new Station Rise development of social housing and Cluid housing for Irish born emigrants.  This was followed by an official welcome from Cathaoirleach Cllr Martin Keane to Deputy Gilmore.

 

The Labour Leader was then wisked up to the Allergan plant for a tour of the factory and a presentation on the development of the plant and its range of products before there was a break for lunch.

 

After lunch Deputy Gilmore's party called in at Westport's Gaelscoil to discuss the lack of progress in securing the go ahead for its promised new building on the Golf Course Road. 

 

Then it was off to Murrisk to meet with the Murrisk Development Association and discuss the huge voluntary role they play in maintaining their area including Croagh Patrick and the Famine Memorial Park.

 

The day concluded with a visit by the Labour Leader to the grounds of Westport Rugby Football Club in Carrowholly, where Club President Dermot Ruddy showed Depury Gilmore the club grounds and outlined its role in involving young children from as far away as Achill in the sport.

 

 

Some Background Facts

• Cllr Michael Kilcoyne was expelled from the Labour Party in February 2004.  He did not leave the party as is sometimes reported.  It is open to Cllr Kilcoyne to apply to re-join the party.  
• The Westport Branch is the largest branch in Mayo.  Castlebar is the second largest Branch and Swinford-Kiltimagh is the other branch.  There are on-going efforts to establish branches in Ballina and Erris.
• The Mayo Labour Constituency Council is primarily made up of members of the Westport Branch with Westport members occupying the positions of Chair, Secretary and Treasurer. Castlebar's Harry Barrett is the PRO.
• Currently Westport's Cllr Keith Martin is the only candidate selected by the Labour Party to run in Mayo.  Cllr Martin was selected in March of this year at a convention held in Westport and presided over by Labour's spokesperson on Justice, Pat Rabbitte TD.
• The Westport Branch has doubled its membership in the last year and has conducted a series of successful fundraisers such as its annual race-night. 
• The success of the branch has been acknowledged within the Labour Party and this summer Cllr Keith Martin was asked to address the Party's Tom Johnson Summer School on the issue of building up branches as part of a "roots first" philosophy of building the party as advocated by Cllr Martin.
• Cllr Martin also addressed last year's party conference on his motion condemning the government's €4 billion under-spend in the west and later in the year he has been asked to mentor a group of Labour Party candidates at a special Labour Party workshop in Brussels later this year.

086 0691182

Photos

Irish Rail asked are Fares fair?

Labour's Cllr Keith Martin, is calling on Irish Rail to explain why Students and Families pay more for tickets on the Westport to Dublin line compared to those on the Galway to Dublin line.

 

Ticket prices are identical on both lines for Single, Day Return, 5 Day Return and Monthly Return tickets but there is a large variation for Student and Family tickets.  On the Westport to Dublin line the Student Return ticket, the Family One day ticket and the Family Monthly ticket are €4, €6 and €8 more expensive, respectively.

 

Cllr Martin says "Students and families from Westport and those travelling to Westport are paying more than those travelling to Galway.  It is unfair that students travelling from Westport and the number of families visiting Westport on their holidays are paying more than those using the Galway line.  Why are some fares equal and others not?  I have to ask are Irish Rail cherry picking tickets, like those for students and families and increasing those ticket prices to improve profits?  I have written to Irish Rail's CEO to ask for an explanation.  I have also raised the issue of catering and the provision of a dining car, with hot food service.

 

"I welcome the provision, in 2009, of two additional services to Dublin, one of which will be an early bird service which will allow travellers to be in Dublin by 9am and the introduction of reserved seating.  But we have to demand that fares are fair, and ask why are Westport Families and Students and those travelling to Westport paying more than those on the Galway line?

 

View Irish Rail Ticket Prices here at http://www.irishrail.ie/news_centre/news.asp?action=view&news_id=318

 

086 0691182

www.councillorkeithmartin.com

Photo slide show

Eamon Gilmore and Cllr Keith Martin in Westport.

Photo 7, originally uploaded by CllrKeith's.

Labour Leader Eamon Gilmore TD was in Mayo last week and we spent Friday meeting with local groups and organisations to get a feel for the issues.

Among the groups we met with were Westport Chamber of Commerce, Westport Civic Trust and the Murrisk Development Association.

This pic was taken at Westport Rugby Football Club Grounds.

Letter to the editor

Dear Editor,

 

The behaviour of Green Party Deputy Paul Gogarty concerning the cuts to school funding, whereby he publicly states that in "all credibility" he cannot stand by the education cuts, only to vote with the Government on the issue, damages the political system and politicians.

 

By trying to portray himself simultaneously as both the opposition and the government on this issue, Deputy Gogarty, by his hypocrisy, plays up to the worst fears of the electorate, who are tired of electing councillors and TDs who say one thing and do the other.

 

As a young councillor I had hoped that in the 21st Century we were leaving this type of Gombeen politics behind us but it seems to be thriving.  Because of the likes of Deputy Gogarty the reputation of public representatives of all parties is damaged.

 

 

 

Yours sincerely

 

Councillor Keith Martin

Westport Town Council

33 Pairc na Coille

Westport

Co. Mayo

086 0691182 m

098 24852 h

098 25747 w

Mags Murphy Press release

Pictured above at recent meeting in Westport of Labour's Mayo Consituency Council meeting is Chairman Sean Sammon, Campaign Officer Mags Murphy, Constituency Secretary David Fallon and Cllr Keith Martin.

Micheal D Higgins TD and Cllr Keith Martin protest means test for over 70s medical cards

Pictured here is Labour's Maria Parodi, Party President Michael D Higgins TD and Cllr Keith Martin outside Dail Eireann at the Irish Senior Citizens Parliment Protest at the introduction of means testing for the over 70s Medical Card.

Welcome for new information centre

Cllr Keith Martin, Labour's county council candidate for Westport, has warmly welcomed the planned Citizen's Information Service (CIS) Office for Westport, which is due to open in December.

According to the Labour councillor "The new office will allow the CIS to provide information, advice and advocacy services in Westport on a part-time basis, from a permanent office on James Street. 

"Westport Town Council granted planning permission in August to Mayo Citizen's Information Service Ltd for the conversion of the building from a medical surgery to an office and, dependent on construction time, the office is due to be open by December.

"This is good news for Westport as the CIS provides free, impartial and confidential information on an one-to-one basis on subjects such as Employment Rights, Consumer Affairs, Social Welfare, Health, Disability Information, Taxation, Family Issues and Housing.  Importantly all the information provided is confidential.

 

"For years Westport has lagged behind other Mayo towns in relation to these kind of services and I am delighted to see a permanent office for the Citizens Information Service here in Westport and I am sure there will be a huge demand for its services" concluded Cllr Martin.

Westport Town Council funding cut-rate increase likely

Labour's county council candidate for the Westport Electoral Area says Westport Town Council will have tough decisions to make in regard to its Budget following the announcement by Environment Minister John Gormley that local authorities are to have their budgets cut back by almost seven per cent.

 

According to Cllr Keith Martin the cut represents "a massive attack on councils who are already struggling to cover the cost of the demands placed on them as the economy slips into recession.  As building activity continues to dwindle, development levies have all but dried up as a source of funding for local authorities so the crisis is even greater that it might appear at first.

 

"Westport Town Council has been allocated a budget which is 6.93% less than last years allocation, couple this with inflation and a decline in revenue from other areas and Westport will be facing into a tough time when it comes to setting a rate for 2009.

"This cutback can only be interpreted as a savage assault on local government and on local democracy. Minister Gormley came to office promising both local government reform, and equitable funding for our councils. It is now clear that he can deliver on neither."

"Because the Minister has cut our funding we have to look at cutting our cloth and at areas where we can raise more revenue to make up for this shortfall and the rate of inflation.  Tough decisions will have to be made by the nine councillors and we have to strike a balance between protecting vital services and keeping the rate on businesses as low as possible."

Government must not increase class sizes

Labour's county council candidate for the Westport Electoral Area Cllr Keith Martin says "one of most distressing cutbacks announced in the Budget this week is the Government decision to increase class sizes.

 

According to Cllr Martin "This is the latest instalment in class sizes when back in 2002 the Government made a commitment to reduce class sizes to 20, which was then raised to 24 in 2007 and now to 28 in 2008.
 

"It is unfair of the Government to make children, their parents and teachers suffer for the Government's mismanagement of the economy.  If class sizes are increased, teachers will be stretched to the limit, pupils will be given less time with the teacher and the quality of their education will suffer. To even suggest it in this day and age is outrageous particularly after all the boom years. These cuts will cause damage to our education system and will jeopardise the future prospects of our children. The Government must reverse its decision to increase class sizes and look at making savings elsewhere."

 

"It is bad enough that we still have schools which are not fit for purpose but to cramp these overcrowded rooms and prefabs with more children while reducing the number of teachers is a Kamikaze attitude to education.  Its bad enough that the Government are dragging their feet in providing new schools here in Westport without them forcing even more children with less teachers into the existing buildings.  It can only lead to disaster!"

Gaelscoil raised in Dail

According to Labour's Cllr Keith Martin there is still no progress on the new building for Westport's Gaelscoil.  The new school was given the go ahead in 2006 and a site was acquired from Westport Town Council shortly after, with a delivery date of June 2007 promised by the Department of Education.
 

As late as September 2008 the Department of Education said it was at "an advanced stage of architectural planning. Planning permission has been obtained and pre-qualification of prospective contractors has been completed. It is hoped to progress this project to tender and construction process as soon as possible."
 

However when questioned this week by Labour's Education Spokesman Ruairi Quinn TD, Minister Batt O'Keeffe was unable to give a timeframe for the project.
 

According to the Minister the new building "is currently one of a number of projects at an advanced stage of architectural planning. It was not; however, included in the most recent tranche of projects announced in September as, due to normal budgetary constraints and the need to manage the capital programme in an orderly fashion, not all building projects can proceed to tender and construction at the same time.  

"The progression of all large scale building projects, including this project, from initial design stage through to construction phase will be considered in the context of my Department's multi-annual School Building and Modernisation Programme. However, in light of current competing demands on the capital budget of the Department, it is not possible to give an indicative timeframe for the progression of the project at this time."

Cllr Martin says "It looks like the Department is not interested in keeping its commitments in relation to the badly needed new building for our Gaelscoil.  We must not falter in our demands that the promised new school is delivered on immediately."

Martin Marches

Labour's Cllr Keith Martin was among the 15,000 who took to the streets outside the Dail to protest the government's decision to means test medical cards for the over 70s.

 

Cllr Martin says "I was proud to be there among the crowd and to add my voice to the protest in support of all those in Westport who are outraged at this move.  Like them I am appalled that the government has decided to row back on its commitment of universal medical card coverage for those over 70.

 

"It was great to see a good contingent up from Westport to support the protest and Westport's Breda O'Malley (Hon. Secretary of the Irish Senior Citizens' Parliment) was on top form as a speaker who rallied the crowd.

 

"While the atmosphere was largely positive there was an undercurrent of anger at the Government and this bubbled to the top when the crowd was addresses by TDs from Fianna Fail and the Green Party.  I hope the message gets through to the Government."

Eamon Gilmore TD Labour Leader in Westport Oct 31`st

Eamon Gilmore TD will be in Westport on Fri Oct 31st for the day.

 

Please let me know if you are interested in an interview with him on any matter, local, national or international and I can give you his contact number or have him contact you.

 

Keith Martin

Johnny Mee

Cllr Keith Martin says Johnny Mee's decision to retire at the next election in June 2009 marks the end of decades of dedicated service to the people of Castlebar and to Mayo.

 

"As a founder member of Western Care his impact on the community has been a hugely positive one as an individual and as a public representative he has always championed the citizens of Castlebar and their needs.

 

"Johnny Mee's contribution to the Labour Party has also been significant in offering the voters an alternative and in encouraging others to get involved in politics.

 

"I would like to wish Johnny a long and happy retirement and to thank him for all he has done for me and for the Labour party."

 

 

A night at the races!

My fundraiser racenight will take place on November 7th at 9.30pm in Henehan's Bar on Bridge Street, Westport.

 

Horses are €25 each and we have some great prizes and an auction race to finish. 

 

Please buy a horse or come along on the night and help fill my campaign coffers for the election in June.  Every little helps and my campaign is funded by my friends, family and supporters so I need all the help I can get to make it a level playing field next year.

 

086 0691182 or e-mail me to buy a horse.

 

 

Letter to the Editor Budget 08

Dear Editor,

 

 

It seems that the majority would have prefered a Marxist budget in the sense of "From each according to his means, to each according to his needs."

 

Instead we have a Lenihanist budget!

 

Yours sincerely

 

Cllr Keith Martin

Westport Town Council

33 Pairc na Coille

Westport

Co. Mayo

 

086 0691182 m

098 25747 w

098 24852 h

Its the economy, stupid

It's the economy, stupid" was a phrase in American politics widely used during Bill Clinton's successful 1992 presidential campaign against George H.W. Bush.

 

For a time, Bush was considered unbeatable because of foreign policy developments such as the end of the Cold War and the Persian Gulf War.

 

The phrase, coined by Clinton campaign refers to the notion that Clinton was a better choice because Bush had not adequately addressed the economy, which had recently undergone a recession.

 

Now history repeats itself, McCain the war hero, has gone negative on Obama, attacking his character in ads and allowing Sarah Palin to infer Obama is a terrorist.

 

As they did in 1992 when faced with a declining economy the voters are turning to the man with the plan, where McCain admits he knows nothing about economics Obama carefully outlines his solutions to the crisis.  The voters don't want a campaign about character, they want a campaign about jobs.

 

In fact the McCain/Palin ticket is very much like the Bush/Quayle ticket it has an out of touch reactionary war hero coupled with a brainless good looking idiot versus a dynamic and positive young contender who is pushing a economic solution to America's woes.

 

Its the economy, stupid!

Cllrs to be barred from Harbour Boards?

Labour's Cllr Keith Martin has called on the Government to reverse the proposal to remove councillors from Harbour Boards.

The Harbours (amendment) Bill 2008, which is currently before the Senate proposes to remove local representatives from Harbour Boards by ending the practice whereby local authorities appointed members to Harbour Boards.

 

Cllr Martin says "I cannot understand why the government would want to see local authority membership wiped from the boards of the ports throughout this country. I cannot understand why the Government is so intent on taking away functions from local authority members. Councillors want real input into local government.

"We have the promise of local government reform from the Minister of the Environment and for an increase in powers for local councillors then on the other hand we have his colleague in the Department of the Marine stripping communities of their representation on Harbour Boards.  When you consider the potential for Westport's Harbour and how important it is to Westport's future development it is crazy of the Minister to bar councillors from serving on Westport's Harbour Board.

Cllr Martin says he will be raising this issue with the other members of Westport Town Council and with the two councillors currently serving on Westport Harbour Board, but in the meantime he said he would be contacting the Minister to protest at the proposal.

 

"The Minister can make the changes that are definitely needed, but he does not have to do this at the expense of local democracy and local government."
 

086 0691182

The County Councillor's Song

The 'County Councillors' Song' first appeared in the Leinster Leader newspaper on May 1^st 1900, a year after the inaugural local elections took place following on from the Local Government (Ireland) Act, 1898.   It goes as follows:-

 

I AM A COUNTY COUNCILLOR, A VERY PUBLIC MAN

TO BENEFIT THE PEOPLE I'LL DO EVERYTHING I CAN;

IN ALL MY WAKING MOMENTS FOR THEIR WELFARE I WILL SCHEME

AND IN THE ARMS OF MORPHEUS OF IMPROVEMENTS I WILL DREAM.

A LOCAL LEGISLATOR AND A MAN OF HIGH RENOWN,

I AM THE COUNTY COUNCILLOR, THE GREATEST MAN IN TOWN

Ironic recycling charges

It is ironic that Mayo County Council is marking National Recycling Week by introducing charges for recycling at its two Civic Amenity Centres according to Labour's Cllr Keith Martin.

 

Mayo County Council has introduced a €2 charge per car and €5 charge per van for recycling at its Derrinumera and Rathroeen amenity centres.  Repak National Recycling Week runs from October 6th to 12th. 

 

According to Cllr Martin there is no justification for the charges as in the last year alone Mayo County Council received €128,800 in November 2007 and €184,900 in December 2007 to offset recycling charges.

 

"These grants coupled with the income from the sale of recycled materials should cover the cost of recycling in Mayo and I think it is disgraceful that Mayo County Council has pressed ahead and introduced recycling charges.  Worse again they have brought in these grants just at the beginning of National Recycling Week.

 

"I believe the polluter should pay and not the recycler.  I believe that any difference between the costs of recycling and these grants and revenue generated should be met by an increase in waste disposal fees and not by hitting recyclers with a stealth tax which is in effect a tax on recycling and a deterrent to recycling. 

 

The majority of people using these recycling centres are low income families and the retired who have decided to take charge of their own waste disposal and recycling needs.  These are the people who will be hit the hardest by these fees.  Fees which I think are unjustified given the amount of money being provided by the Dept of the Environment.  Mayo County Council can send out all the PR it wants about recycling but the truth is their new charges are undermining the habit of recycling."

New Library for Westport flagged by Mayo County Council

Cllr Keith Martin has welcomed news that Mayo County Council intends to provide a new library for Westport within the next four years.  Cllr Martin recently highlighted the need for a new library for the town given the limited capacity and space of the current 35-year-old building.

 

Mayo County Council has submitted to the Department of the Environment its Library Project Priorities for the coming five years and is proposing new library buildings for Swinford, Crossmolina and Westport along with a brand new library building for Newport.

 

Mayo County Council has detailed its library priorities to the Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government stating that they will be seeking funding for new buildings. 

 

Third on the list of priorities is the plan to provide a new 900 sq metre library for the Westport to be completed by 2011 at a cost of €2.7 million.  The proposed library would be the same size as Ballina and Castlebar libraries and will provide a state-of-the-art library service for the south west Mayo region.

 

The library is planned to be part of the one-stop-shop of Civic Offices for Westport on the site of the Convent grounds in Westport.  Mayo County Council expects to provide 20% of the capital costs of the new building which would be five times the size of the current library in Westport.

 

However as the council have listed Westport as its third priority behind new buildings for Swinford and Crossmolina, Westport will have to wait its turn.  Mayo County Council expect work to commence on the new library in 2010 to be completed by 2011.

 

According to the Labour councillor "this is good news for Westport but it is only the beginning of the process.  Mayo County Council have informed the Department of its library priorities and it is now up to the Department to take the next step but I am delighted that Mayo County Council are confident and committed to improving on the existing library buildings and to providing a new library for Newport also.

 

"There has long been a consensus, in the council chamber and in the town, that the library building is too small to meet the needs of the growing population in the Westport.  Not only is it an unattractive building but it is far too small to meet the demands placed on it.  We need a new library the size of Castlebar's with study areas, a dedicated local history section, a children's area and an exhibition space in addition to a increased shelf space for books, CDs, DVDs and digital media.

 

"We will also have the opportunity of displaying the town's art collection which has been built up over the years by the council acquiring pieces from local and visiting artists and a new library and civic offices would be the ideal venue to put this art collection on display.

 

"I will continue to lobby for a new library for Westport and I will be asking that Westport Town Council establish a committee to oversee this proposal for a new building to keep the pressure up on the County Council and the Department to deliver on Westport's need for a new library."

 

 

Priority	Libra,y name! Location	Size in Sq m	Total Estimated Cost (€)	Part        of One stop shop (YiN)	Due        to commence	Due to finish	Estimate ~ local authority contribution (€)
1	Swinford	405sq mt	€1.8m	y	2008	2010            /	20%
2	Crossmolina	500sq ft	€2m	n	2009	2011	20%
3	Westport	900	€2.7m	y	2010	2011	20%
4	Newport	200sq m	€lm	n	2009	2010	20%

LIBRARY PROJECT PRIORITY FORM

                                 Signed:_                                                                               Date:

                                 City/County Manager or Director of Service

 

 

086 0691182