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    Wednesday 19 December 2012

    Submission on proposed courthouse closures


    Mayo is the 3rd largest county in Ireland and it has a rising population.  The removal of the courthouses of Achill, Westport, Swinford and Ballyhaunis would leave huge areas of the county and the population without access to a local courthouse.
    The local courthouse like the local pub, shop, post office, Garda station and bank is one of the cornerstones of rural Irish life and has been since the legal system was established in this country.
    It is accepted that justice must be done and must seen to be done and that justice delayed is justice denied I would contend that justice must, like governance, must also be as local as possible.
    Court is a distressing place to those unfamiliar with it.  They can also be intimidating places whether you are a defendant, plaintiff or a witness.  
    One of the main benefits of local courthouses such as Westport's is that the court takes place locally and an individual can rely on friends and family for support and does not have to add the stress and expense of travel and food onto an already overburdened individual.
    Many people attending court must rely on public transport and its often illogical and inconvenient schedules to get to and from court.
    When a crime is committed locally it is great to see that it is dealt with locally and that justice is not the prevue of some distant court but is actually executed locally.
    If Achill court house is closed then local court users will have to make a 73km journey to Belmullet, which is the chosen alternative venue this is incredible unfair on a community who have already lost so much community infrastructure.
    Courthouses are not just buildings; they are service centres, community features and symbols of justice, justice that is local and accessible.

    Wednesday 12 December 2012

    Fwd: Childrens Allowance and respite care



    ---------- Forwarded message ----------
    From: Councillor Keith Martin <councillorkeithmartin@gmail.com>
    Date: 7 December 2012 02:37
    Subject: Childrens Allowance and respite care
    To: eamon.gilmore@oir.ie, colm@colmkeaveney.ie


    Dear Party Leader and Dear Party Chairman,


    I am writing to you both to outline my concerns in relation to the changes to the Children's Allowance and to the Respite Care grant.

    The Children's allowance must be means tested even if it is along the lines of self declaration like the new property tax.

    It is unfair on families with special needs, the elderly and particularly autistic children to reduce the respite care grant.  This is often the only chance that carers get to have some time of their own.  Again means test it or whatever but do not bring this in as is.

    We must protect those who need help most, it's why I am a proud member of the Labour party.

    Please make the necessary changes.

    Please also do not allow abortion law to fall off the agenda.

    Sincerely

    Keith Martin
    Westport