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