New Beginnings - Key Issues for Mayo

finisklin

With the election over and the votes counted, what's gonna be the focus for Mayo for the next 5 years? Will national issues replace local issues completely?

Being completely parochial, here is my wish list.....:p

• Strokestown to Ballaghdereen road improvement.
• Traffic flows in Ballina
• Finality to the Corrib Gas project
• Mayo General - is it being downgraded or not? How can it be protected while maintaining patient care?
• More accountability in local government. Who are civic officials answerable to?
• Ballina to Bohola (or was it Balla? :p)
• County councillors to take more responsiblity for the TD's role?

I'm sure I'm leaving something out.......

HarryPotter41

finisklin wrote: »

With the election over and the votes counted, what's gonna be the focus for Mayo for the next 5 years? Will national issues replace local issues completely?

Being completely parochial, here is my wish list.....:p

• Strokestown to Ballaghdereen road improvement.
• Traffic flows in Ballina
• Finality to the Corrib Gas project
• Mayo General - is it being downgraded or not? How can it be protected while maintaining patient care?
• More accountability in local government. Who are civic officials answerable to?
• Ballina to Bohola (or was it Balla? :p)
• County councillors to take more responsiblity for the TD's role?

I'm sure I'm leaving something out.......

Agree with everything on the list but unfortumately the Ballina traffic flow ( if flow is the correct term at the moment ) is the remit of the unelected powers that be on Ballina Town Council and no government can affect that ( the Town Councillors can't affect it ).

finisklin

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

Agree with everything on the list but unfortumately the Ballina traffic flow ( if flow is the correct term at the moment ) is the remit of the unelected powers that be on Ballina Town Council and no government can affect that ( the Town Councillors can't affect it ).

MM gave a commitment on the canvass to addressing this......

HarryPotter41

finisklin wrote: »

MM gave a commitment on the canvass to addressing this......

Amazing how she gives committments to address things on bodies she has been on for 7 years. Or am I just cynical?

finisklin

I think you forgot that she's not in a majority...that's with the FFs and Independents!

That's sticking the knife in, IMO.

HarryPotter41

finisklin wrote: »

I think you forgot that she's not in a majority...that's with the FFs and Independents!

That's sticking the knife in, IMO.

Bar one of the FF members ( less said the better ) and Gerry Ginty, all other members of the Town Council want the changes reversed. So she has support for it, shame she didn't do something about it then.

yew_tree

I would like to see industry and jobs coming to mayo and that needs to be the number 1 focus. With the way things are imagine if the likes of baxter or allergan pulled out......the entire county would suffer badly

mayotom

I think HarryPotter is a bit of a sore looser, it will take a lot more than Hogworts magic to bring back his beloved FF

As for Mayo, I think the most important things that need to be worked on is sustainable energy by taking advantage of Mayo's geographical location, we can become the bench mark for renewable energy in Ireland(not Europe, Spain and Portugal are already 30 years ahead).

Start with work on the ESB grid and most importantly the Planning laws

HarryPotter41

mayotom wrote: »

I think HarryPotter is a bit of a sore looser, it will take a lot more than Hogworts magic to bring back his beloved FF

As for Mayo, I think the most important things that need to be worked on is sustainable energy by taking advantage of Mayo's geographical location, we can become the bench mark for renewable energy in Ireland(not Europe, Spain and Portugal are already 30 years ahead).

Start with work on the ESB grid and most importantly the Planning laws

I am merely stating facts, perhaps you are too myopic to see them.

finisklin

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

Agree with everything on the list but unfortumately the Ballina traffic flow ( if flow is the correct term at the moment ) is the remit of the unelected powers that be on Ballina Town Council and no government can affect that ( the Town Councillors can't affect it ).

Is this not a microcosm of the country's plight? Who is running the country (or our town) - the civil service or the politicians?

Interesting take on the Frontline last night with Fergus Finlay making the point that what the Dept of Finance presents to the incoming governement may not be accurate. He then went on to say the first thing Inda is going to have to do is send someone into the Dept of Finance to determine the extent of our financial problems.

We also know that Kevin Cardiff the secretary general in the dept of Finance is not answerable to the Dail/PAC.

The reason that I have noted this here is that there is no accountability in MCC, BTC etc - the county manager, effectively, is not answerable to anyone. This then begs the question how can DC, MM etc help their constituents with issues involving MCC/BTC?

yop

yew_tree wrote: »

I would like to see industry and jobs coming to mayo and that needs to be the number 1 focus. With the way things are imagine if the likes of baxter or allergan pulled out......the entire county would suffer badly

In 1 for sure. Been on the technology side as my trade and having to work in Dublin all I see is jobs in Dublin appearing on a weekly basis.
Monthly we see telecentre jobs appearing also.
Of course this is only 1 sector which I have knowledge in but there is no reason why they can't be down here?

Roads for sure.
Money into green energy, as said previously wave/wind energy, tastefully.

Mountjoy Mugger

I'm sure there'll be bugger all done west of Castlebar; in any case, gombeen politics is still alive and well.

HarryPotter41

finisklin wrote: »

Is this not a microcosm of the country's plight? Who is running the country (or our town) - the civil service or the politicians?

Interesting take on the Frontline last night with Fergus Finlay making the point that what the Dept of Finance presents to the incoming governement may not be accurate. He then went on to say the first thing Inda is going to have to do is send someone into the Dept of Finance to determine the extent of our financial problems.

We also know that Kevin Cardiff the secretary general in the dept of Finance is not answerable to the Dail/PAC.

The reason that I have noted this here is that there is no accountability in MCC, BTC etc - the county manager, effectively, is not answerable to anyone. This then begs the question how can DC, MM etc help their constituents with issues involving MCC/BTC?

They can't, which is why it is disingenuous of her to say she will deal with it. Short ofn her drafting legislation and guiding it through the house there is nothing she can change about it. I think its scandalous that the majority of the representatives elected by the people of the town of Ballina can not over rule a decision made by an unelected official of the council. All this waffle of political reform annoys me, we have the structure if they would give that structure some power. Don't abolish the Seanad, County Councils or Town Councils, give them some power to actually make a difference to peoples lives.

finisklin

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

Don't abolish the Seanad, County Councils or Town Councils, give them some power to actually make a difference to peoples lives.

With my cynical hat, on what's the point of politicians if they can't effect change? The traffic system issue is a reflection of the overall state of politics and shows who is actually running the country. :mad: or Not sure which I am?

finisklin

yop wrote: »

In 1 for sure. Been on the technology side as my trade and having to work in Dublin all I see is jobs in Dublin appearing on a weekly basis.
Monthly we see telecentre jobs appearing also.
Of course this is only 1 sector which I have knowledge in but there is no reason why they can't be down here?

Roads for sure.
Money into green energy, as said previously wave/wind energy, tastefully.

This is a fair point and an admirable point of view. Why can't Mayo people get work in their own county (or even their own country!)? I have some friends that work in the multinationals in Mayo and one problem is recruiting the right people with the right skill set & experience. One company was looking for a supply chain role for over 5 months! In the end the role went to someone outside the county!

HarryPotter41

finisklin wrote: »

With my cynical hat, on what's the point of politicians if they can't effect change? The traffic system issue is a reflection of the overall state of politics and shows who is actually running the country. :mad: or Not sure which I am?

I know the Town Councillors find it extraordinarily frustrating especially as they represent the people. Would take major legislation at this stage to change the whole thing, if Enda plans on abolishing the Seanad and reducing the number of TD's by 20 ( which should be fun as he will be basically telling some of the newly elected FG and LAB TD's they will be out of work in a few years ) perhaps it could be included in that.

finisklin

Local Government hasn't changed since the foundation of the state and even then it was based on the UK model of local governance.

Interesting anectdote from Diarmaid Ferriter's history of Ireland series recently. After the Civil War and the Local Government Act 1926 there was on going problems in Kerry between the councillors and the officials. The councillors were having it all their own way.

The Minsiter for Environment at the time took a school master from a school in drogheda (who had fought in the war on independence and civil war) and made him the county manager. Obviously he got his few hundred pounds and a car which was extremely generous at the time.

On his first meeting with the councillors in his office, the latter made several demands and place their revolvers on his desk, showing that they meant business. With that the county manager reached into his drawer and took out his revolver and also placed it on the desk.

Needless to say that was the end of that!

The point I am making is that there is no accountability in the system nor is there a desire to change it (despite the token efforts of the 2001 Act).

nuac

Shopping list for incoming government for Mayo.

1. N5 - bring Ballaghadereen - Strokestown and Castlebar - westport parts up to standard of rest of N5.

2, Broadband for entire county at reasonable rates.

3. Upgrading of ESB grid.

4. Local Government
(1)- proper financing to replace domestic rates revenue lost in 1977

(2) retention of Town Councils especially planning and housing functions - they brng local governement closer to the people.

5. St Patricks Day - a great world wide brand for promotion of the country for tourism and industrial investment. Afaik no other country has SPD parades etc in so many venues. We should build on this.

Ministers, and other national and local authority politicians should get out to all these parades. They should build up the contacts and enhance the goodwill there for the Irish.

Grousing about the expense is small minded. We have to promote the county.

6. Pressure on the IDA to bring more FDI into the county.


Above will do for the first 100 days - will then have a further list.

Kristopherus

nuac wrote: »

Shopping list for incoming government for Mayo.

1. N5 - bring Ballaghadereen - Strokestown and Castlebar - westport parts up to standard of rest of N5.

2, Broadband for entire county at reasonable rates.

3. Upgrading of ESB grid.

4. Local Government
(1)- proper financing to replace domestic rates revenue lost in 1977

(2) retention of Town Councils especially planning and housing functions - they brng local governement closer to the people.

5. St Patricks Day - a great world wide brand for promotion of the country for tourism and industrial investment. Afaik no other country has SPD parades etc in so many venues. We should build on this.

Ministers, and other national and local authority politicians should get out to all these parades. They should build up the contacts and enhance the goodwill there for the Irish.

Grousing about the expense is small minded. We have to promote the county.

6. Pressure on the IDA to bring more FDI into the county.


Above will do for the first 100 days - will then have a further list.

+ the Corrib Gas flowing, in the national interest.

finisklin

I suppose we are going to have to get used to this.....

Claims by Fine Gael and Labour negotiators that the public finances were “worse than they thought” were dismissed by Fianna Fáil frontbencher Dara Calleary who said that such comments were a prelude to abandoning their election promises.

“The very solemn, but equally predictable warnings by Michael Noonan and Joan Burton should be seen for what they are, a softening up exercise in advance of the inevitable abandonment of their various uncosted and cynical election promises,” said Mr Calleary.

From today's IT. The Mayo 1 in opposition........

Kristopherus

Well both Noonan & Rabitte last night said the level of info coming to them now is way above what they were given for the Budget. Calleary is trying to feather his own nest and get some early shots in. He is guaranteed a front bench position, so I can only conclude that he is angling for a high post. With any luck at all, he will only get that far for at least 12 to 15 years.

HarryPotter41

Kristopherus wrote: »

Well both Noonan & Rabitte last night said the level of info coming to them now is way above what they were given for the Budget. Calleary is trying to feather his own nest and get some early shots in. He is guaranteed a front bench position, so I can only conclude that he is angling for a high post. With any luck at all, he will only get that far for at least 12 to 15 years.

Or of course maybe hes just right and they are bull****ing.

irishgeo

fibre optic broadband for castlebar, the current exchange is creaking at the seams.

i like to see the hugely dangerous stretch taken out of the N17 where the 4 young women lost there lives a year ago.

oscarBravo

irishgeo wrote: »

i like to see the hugely dangerous stretch taken out of the N17 where the 4 young women lost there lives a year ago.

Seriously? I mean, I know I'd like to see a decent road there (it is a national primary route, after all), but I've driven it at 100km/h flat several times without feeling I was pushing my luck at all. It's really just not that bad a road.

queensinead

finisklin wrote: »

With the election over and the votes counted, what's gonna be the focus for Mayo for the next 5 years? Will national issues replace local issues completely?

Being completely parochial, here is my wish list.....:p

• Strokestown to Ballaghdereen road improvement.
• Traffic flows in Ballina
• Finality to the Corrib Gas project
• Mayo General - is it being downgraded or not? How can it be protected while maintaining patient care?
• More accountability in local government. Who are civic officials answerable to?
• Ballina to Bohola (or was it Balla? :p)
• County councillors to take more responsiblity for the TD's role?

I'm sure I'm leaving something out.......

No, but you're putting something in.

The Strokestown to Ballaghadereen road is not in Mayo.

Both towns, and the road connecting them, are in Roscommon.

finisklin

Yeah fair point I could have expressed this clearer....it's related to improving the N5. This is a vital piece of infrastructure for Mayo for both inside and outside the county. A recent submission by the MD's of major multinationals in Mayo (Hollister, Allergan, Baxter, BB etc.) highlighted this particular stretch as vital to their business to the NRA.

It is important to bear in mind that benefits accrue to Mayo where other improvements are made to infrastructure outside of the county. Plus the reverse of this is where only partial benefit's from a project go to inside the county with the majortity going outside e.g. the Corrib gas field. It's a two way street.......

finisklin

I thing Ring is peeved that he didn't get a ministerial portfolio.....remains to be seen if he will get a Junior Minister role. He was on Pat Kenny show this am and though magnanamous he certainly wasn't flush with the joys of Spring.

Kristopherus

oscarBravo wrote: »

Seriously? I mean, I know I'd like to see a decent road there (it is a national primary route, after all), but I've driven it at 100km/h flat several times without feeling I was pushing my luck at all. It's really just not that bad a road.

I'll put my gaff on it that you won't go around that bend at anything 100km/h. The section of road between Ballindine and Milltown is just as bad as the N5 between Ballagh & Strokestown.

ScareGilly

finisklin wrote: »

I thing Ring is peeved that he didn't get a ministerial portfolio.....remains to be seen if he will get a Junior Minister role. He was on Pat Kenny show this am and though magnanamous he certainly wasn't flush with the joys of Spring.

Seems like he was a bit betrayed by Enda imo.. Without him, Enda wouldn't have gotten in in '02, and Fine Gael would never have gotten 4 seats in Mayo. He's the hardest working TD I've seen in Mayo and always willing to listen to the people and take what they say on board.

oscarBravo

Kristopherus wrote: »

I'll put my gaff on it that you won't go around that bend at anything 100km/h.

I might, if I wasn't guaranteed to be stuck behind someone doing 60km/h.

The section of road between Ballindine and Milltown is just as bad as the N5 between Ballagh & Strokestown.

Another road where I can maintain 100km/h when there isn't someone practicing hearse driving techniques up ahead.

Don't get me wrong - both roads desperately need an upgrade, but mostly so that there will be room to overtake people who seem to believe that because they're not in a hurry, nobody else should be in a hurry either.

yop

oscarBravo wrote: »

I might, if I wasn't guaranteed to be stuck behind someone doing 60km/h. Another road where I can maintain 100km/h when there isn't someone practicing hearse driving techniques up ahead.

Don't get me wrong - both roads desperately need an upgrade, but mostly so that there will be room to overtake people who seem to believe that because they're not in a hurry, nobody else should be in a hurry either.

Even with passing out lanes they still stick out on the outside lanes. Outside strokestown, outside Mullingar, both have passing lanes and week in week out the inside lanes are empty and they just sit on the passing lane doing < speedlimits. :rolleyes:

oscarBravo

yop wrote: »

Even with passing out lanes they still stick out on the outside lanes. Outside strokestown, outside Mullingar, both have passing lanes and week in week out the inside lanes are empty and they just sit on the passing lane doing < speedlimits. :rolleyes:

True - it's the same on the N17 just before it meets the N4. But at least then they're showing themselves up as selfish, inconsiderate and careless drivers, instead of wrapping themselves in a cloak of self-righteous "careful" driving.

keithcan

nuac wrote: »

Shopping list for incoming government for Mayo.

1. N5 - bring Ballaghadereen - Strokestown and Castlebar - westport parts up to standard of rest of N5.

2, Broadband for entire county at reasonable rates.

3. Upgrading of ESB grid.

4. Local Government
(1)- proper financing to replace domestic rates revenue lost in 1977

(2) retention of Town Councils especially planning and housing functions - they brng local governement closer to the people.

5. St Patricks Day - a great world wide brand for promotion of the country for tourism and industrial investment. Afaik no other country has SPD parades etc in so many venues. We should build on this.

Ministers, and other national and local authority politicians should get out to all these parades. They should build up the contacts and enhance the goodwill there for the Irish.

Grousing about the expense is small minded. We have to promote the county.

6. Pressure on the IDA to bring more FDI into the county.


Above will do for the first 100 days - will then have a further list.

Ok with what you've said, but FDI will NOT, in the main, come to Mayo and it is a waste of hope and energy to plead for it. Enterprise will come from small new areas, such as tourist related as a few have suggested, and other locally-driven initiatives. Look at the Greenway between Newport and Mulranny and more of that please: big numbers of visitors to a unique attraction. It's so successful that others are trying now to copy it in other counties. So fair play to the Co Co for leading the push.

This type of good value and innovative effort is much more worthy and sustainable than a few St paddy's Day parades which are, imo, nothing that would attract a tourist.

Imagine a tour operator got their hooks into some of the Mayo diaspora (the Mayo Association of Boston or Chicago or wherever), got them over, group of 20 or 30. A schedule is developed for them that might include a guided tour of the Ceide fields, 2 hours being shown a hurley and trying their hands at it, a visit to Cong, a half day making soda bread with a local cook, visit to westport, cycle on the Greenway, a day in Beleek Castle inc cookery demo and walk in the woods, trip to Achill - all with a few trad sessions, decent value good quality meals, the good range of other scenic sites, all thrown in. They would love it and it's the model that a county like Mayo needs to aim for imo.

finisklin

It's great to see our local depity getting stuck into the real issues affecting people of North Mayo.....:rolleyes:

Deputy Mulherin will not be disciplined over Libya stance Saturday, 26 March 2011 11:42 The Government does not intend to take disciplinary action against Ballina Fine Gael Deputy Michelle Mulherin, who dissented from official policy on Libya in the Dail this week.
Deputy Mulherin said in the debate last Thursday that the Libyan situation was an internal matter and that the external interference from countries such as the United States in worrying.
According to today's Irish Times senior Fine Gael sources have said that Ms Mulherin's divergence from Government policy was not a burning issue and no one was jumping up and down over it.

More here....http://www.midwestradio.ie/mwr/news/1835-deputy-mulherin-will-not-be-disciplined-over-libya-stance.html

The life of a back bencher eh......

HarryPotter41

finisklin wrote: »

It's great to see our local depity getting stuck into the real issues affecting people of North Mayo.....:rolleyes:

Deputy Mulherin will not be disciplined over Libya stance Saturday, 26 March 2011 11:42 The Government does not intend to take disciplinary action against Ballina Fine Gael Deputy Michelle Mulherin, who dissented from official policy on Libya in the Dail this week.
Deputy Mulherin said in the debate last Thursday that the Libyan situation was an internal matter and that the external interference from countries such as the United States in worrying.
According to today's Irish Times senior Fine Gael sources have said that Ms Mulherin's divergence from Government policy was not a burning issue and no one was jumping up and down over it.

More here....http://www.midwestradio.ie/mwr/news/1835-deputy-mulherin-will-not-be-disciplined-over-libya-stance.html

The life of a back bencher eh......

More scarily was the fact that she stated that the west shouldn't have got involved because the rebels did not take a democratic route with their issues with the government. Maybe if she did a small bit of reading she would relaise Libya and democracy do not go hand in hand. They took their only viable option. Worringly ill informed.

keithcan

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

More scarily was the fact that she stated that the west shouldn't have got involved because the rebels did not take a democratic route with their issues with the government. Maybe if she did a small bit of reading she would relaise Libya and democracy do not go hand in hand. They took their only viable option. Worringly ill informed.

And the thread is...??? NEW BEGINNINGS - KEY ISSUES FOR MAYO.

I think you're actually looking for the thread PETTY SWIPES AT TD AGAINST WHOM YOU'RE BITTER FOR HER ELECTION SUCCESS

Coillte_Bhoy

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

More scarily was the fact that she stated that the west shouldn't have got involved because the rebels did not take a democratic route with their issues with the government. Maybe if she did a small bit of reading she would relaise Libya and democracy do not go hand in hand. They took their only viable option. Worringly ill informed.

Indeed you are.

HarryPotter41

Coillte_Bhoy wrote: »

Indeed you are.

Really, do expand on it.

HarryPotter41

keithcan wrote: »

And the thread is...??? NEW BEGINNINGS - KEY ISSUES FOR MAYO.

I think you're actually looking for the thread PETTY SWIPES AT TD AGAINST WHOM YOU'RE BITTER FOR HER ELECTION SUCCESS

Not in the least, and indeed Libya and the uprising against Ghaddafi is a serious key issue for Mayo and an importnat part of the new beginning.

keithcan

HarryPotter41 wrote: »

Not in the least, and indeed Libya and the uprising against Ghaddafi is a serious key issue for Mayo and an importnat part of the new beginning.

Jaysus you're right. It is of course, vital for Mayo. It'll be the making or breaking of Bohola.

Neworder79

I think the days of major infrastructure projects and business investment are over for a while. Likewise relying on the Government to come up with big ideas for us is pointless given the national challenges they face and competition from other regional interests for resources.

What money and supports are still available should be used more creatively and focused on key areas, playing to the strengths of our towns and county. Priorates should be supporting business and tourism in the county to in turn sustain employment, commercial activity in our towns and standard of living. I don't think the potential for the county in green energy and tourism is being embraced.

Several ideas below, many are just common sense, the expected norm in other countries, but just don't seem to happen here. Others will cost money so might not be possible. But we need our council and various authorities to think outside the box, have a vision for the county and make the business case to the various Government bodies to move forward...

Tourism
- Expand the greenway project to other towns including Castlebar and Lough Lanna and link into other scenic trails. Signpost clearly and add paths to town centers and bike parking.

- Develop WRC northern section as a Mayo/Sligo greenway (train plan is as good as dead).

- Unite all the paths and trails under one western greenway brand that can be marketed to tourists as a major green attraction (no point having a greenway or scenery if no one hears about it, locals can't find it)

- Develop a plan for Roman Island in Westport to become a waterside tourist attraction. Could fairly easily add a board walk, tidal marina, cafe, craft shop etc without huge investment. (Now the fish factory has closed this unique scenic site is open for development but lies derelict).

- Develop an integrated tourism portal website for the region to bring together information on town attractions, events, scenic locations, surf beaches, museums, outdoor activities, trails, accommodation, transport and travel booking services under one immersive brand and facilitate easier holiday planning.
(Current mix of poor websites require a lot of research, information is sporadic, lacking detail and not very inspiring. Discover Ireland West site is very bland.)

- Develop inbound package holidays in conjunction with the airport, travel agents, airlines and transport stake holders to offer package tours of the west. Employ knowledgable local guides and each area. (Mayo should be able to replicate some of the success of the German inbound summer market in Kerry)

- Look at ways of marketing Mayo/West region in the UK and European cities (Board Failte marketing too homogonised, focused on national picture)

- Provide tourism booking and information desk at Ireland West Airport to help arriving visitors book and stay in the region (common in most airports worldwide)

- Provide tourism infrastructure at major scenic attractions:
Car/bike parking, signage, maps, benches, information points, paths, access rails etc to make mountain/coastal trails more accessible and attractive.

- Provide showers and changing areas at surf beaches.

Transport:
- Seek short term road funding for smaller more affordable re-alignment projects (rather than major new roads) to improve safety and quality of the key national primary access routes (N5,17,26) linking the main towns and multinational factories.

- Work with Bus Eireann to better serve worker commuting and facilitate tourist travel within the county, access to tourist sites etc. (smarter travel funding?)

- Improve public transport access to Ireland West Airport with more frequent busses to main towns (provide incentives for new private buses?)

- Maintain current rail service levels and early-bird business trains in light of losing Dublin air route from July.

- Integrate transport modes in large towns where possible to make public transport options more attractive (bus, rail, cycle paths, taxi ranks, airport connections well marked, timetabled and close proximity).

- Council should provide bus shelters and bus parking areas in the main towns.


Energy

- Council should work closely with Eirgrid/Minister for Energy to deliver high capacity electrictity line to west coast ASAP to support development of green energy hub before it happens elsewhere.

- Designate one of the western towns or many empty business parks as a "green business hub" to attract renewable energy companies and start-ups and talk to the Government about providing incentives for those companies.

- As Aberdeen is the oil capital so could Westport or another town become an administrative hub for a new green sector in close proximity to the natural resources of the west coast.

- Develop one of the ports on the west coast to facilitate ships servicing offshore wind and wave sites (is there any deep water port in Mayo between Rossaveel and Killybegs?)

Business

- Keep the life in our town centers: make sure planning incentives promote town centre locations

- Could council offer disused administrative buildings or buy up derelict town buildings to rent out as small business units at affordable rates? (lots of entrepreneurs want to start small retail businesses but are put off by red tape, high rents and rates)

- Provide space for indoor markets at convenient times, weekends (our climate isn't the best for for attracting people to outdoor markets year round)

- Free and easier parking controls (stop running potential customers out of towns)

irishgeo

Neworder79 wrote: »

Transport:
- Seek short term road funding for smaller more affordable re-alignment projects (rather than major new roads) to improve safety and quality of the key national primary access routes (N5,17,26) linking the main towns and multinational factories.

- Work with Bus Eireann to better serve worker commuting and facilitate tourist travel within the county, access to tourist sites etc. (smarter travel funding?)

- Improve public transport access to Ireland West Airport with more frequent busses to main towns (provide incentives for new private buses?)

- Maintain current rail service levels and early-bird business trains in light of losing Dublin air route from July.

- Integrate transport modes in large towns where possible to make public transport options more attractive (bus, rail, cycle paths, taxi ranks, airport connections well marked, timetabled and close proximity).

- Council should provide bus shelters and bus parking areas in the main towns.


Energy

- Council should work closely with Eirgrid/Minister for Energy to deliver high capacity electrictity line to west coast ASAP to support development of green energy hub before it happens elsewhere.

- Designate one of the western towns or many empty business parks as a "green business hub" to attract renewable energy companies and start-ups and talk to the Government about providing incentives for those companies.

- As Aberdeen is the oil capital so could Westport or another town become an administrative hub for a new green sector in close proximity to the natural resources of the west coast.

- Develop one of the ports on the west coast to facilitate ships servicing offshore wind and wave sites (is there any deep water port in Mayo between Rossaveel and Killybegs?)

Dont we have the only fjord in the whole of Ireland in killary Harbour? A deep water port would not cost much to put in.

keithcan

Neworder79 wrote: »

I think the days of major infrastructure projects and business investment are over for a while. Likewise relying on the Government to come up with big ideas for us is pointless given the national challenges they face and competition from other regional interests for resources.

What money and supports are still available should be used more creatively and focused on key areas, playing to the strengths of our towns and county. Priorates should be supporting business and tourism in the county to in turn sustain employment, commercial activity in our towns and standard of living. I don't think the potential for the county in green energy and tourism is being embraced.

Several ideas below, many are just common sense, the expected norm in other countries, but just don't seem to happen here. Others will cost money so might not be possible. But we need our council and various authorities to think outside the box, have a vision for the county and make the business case to the various Government bodies to move forward...

Tourism
- Expand the greenway project to other towns including Castlebar and Lough Lanna and link into other scenic trails. Signpost clearly and add paths to town centers and bike parking.

- Develop WRC northern section as a Mayo/Sligo greenway (train plan is as good as dead).

- Unite all the paths and trails under one western greenway brand that can be marketed to tourists as a major green attraction (no point having a greenway or scenery if no one hears about it, locals can't find it)

- Develop a plan for Roman Island in Westport to become a waterside tourist attraction. Could fairly easily add a board walk, tidal marina, cafe, craft shop etc without huge investment. (Now the fish factory has closed this unique scenic site is open for development but lies derelict).

- Develop an integrated tourism portal website for the region to bring together information on town attractions, events, scenic locations, surf beaches, museums, outdoor activities, trails, accommodation, transport and travel booking services under one immersive brand and facilitate easier holiday planning.
(Current mix of poor websites require a lot of research, information is sporadic, lacking detail and not very inspiring. Discover Ireland West site is very bland.)

- Develop inbound package holidays in conjunction with the airport, travel agents, airlines and transport stake holders to offer package tours of the west. Employ knowledgable local guides and each area. (Mayo should be able to replicate some of the success of the German inbound summer market in Kerry)

- Look at ways of marketing Mayo/West region in the UK and European cities (Board Failte marketing too homogonised, focused on national picture)

- Provide tourism booking and information desk at Ireland West Airport to help arriving visitors book and stay in the region (common in most airports worldwide)

- Provide tourism infrastructure at major scenic attractions:
Car/bike parking, signage, maps, benches, information points, paths, access rails etc to make mountain/coastal trails more accessible and attractive.

- Provide showers and changing areas at surf beaches.

Transport:
- Seek short term road funding for smaller more affordable re-alignment projects (rather than major new roads) to improve safety and quality of the key national primary access routes (N5,17,26) linking the main towns and multinational factories.

- Work with Bus Eireann to better serve worker commuting and facilitate tourist travel within the county, access to tourist sites etc. (smarter travel funding?)

- Improve public transport access to Ireland West Airport with more frequent busses to main towns (provide incentives for new private buses?)

- Maintain current rail service levels and early-bird business trains in light of losing Dublin air route from July.

- Integrate transport modes in large towns where possible to make public transport options more attractive (bus, rail, cycle paths, taxi ranks, airport connections well marked, timetabled and close proximity).

- Council should provide bus shelters and bus parking areas in the main towns.


Energy

- Council should work closely with Eirgrid/Minister for Energy to deliver high capacity electrictity line to west coast ASAP to support development of green energy hub before it happens elsewhere.

- Designate one of the western towns or many empty business parks as a "green business hub" to attract renewable energy companies and start-ups and talk to the Government about providing incentives for those companies.

- As Aberdeen is the oil capital so could Westport or another town become an administrative hub for a new green sector in close proximity to the natural resources of the west coast.

- Develop one of the ports on the west coast to facilitate ships servicing offshore wind and wave sites (is there any deep water port in Mayo between Rossaveel and Killybegs?)

Business

- Keep the life in our town centers: make sure planning incentives promote town centre locations

- Could council offer disused administrative buildings or buy up derelict town buildings to rent out as small business units at affordable rates? (lots of entrepreneurs want to start small retail businesses but are put off by red tape, high rents and rates)

- Provide space for indoor markets at convenient times, weekends (our climate isn't the best for for attracting people to outdoor markets year round)

- Free and easier parking controls (stop running potential customers out of towns)

This is a good, well thought-out manifesto (if you like) for a lot of what is needed for the County and the Region.

Some of the work of the western development commission is good about these type of ideas, see http://www.wdc.ie/wp-content/uploads/reports-WDC-Work-in-the-West-Exec-Summary-dec09.pdf (see the list on P8) and http://www.wdc.ie/wp-content/uploads/reports-CWest-Regional-Policy.pdf
I don't quite know why their work can't be used more by others (such as Local Authorities) as a model for how to target development. Maybe there's some professional jealousy, maybe the wdc don't sell what they do enough.

There's big funding available to the local rural development companies from the EU, see http://www.southmayo.com/index.php/latest-news/92-rural-dvelopment-programme-projects- and http://www.mayonortheast.com/rural-development.asp
In these days, available funding is a rarity, but again I don't think these companies do enough to advertise their funding.

What you've said about Walks, Trails etc is spot on, need for more co-ordination, single websites, etc. The Co Co have a Walks Officer and a decent Website http://www.mayowalks.ie/home/ but the job really is about co-ordination IMO, not just more websites.

Neworder79

Dont we have the only fjord in the whole of Ireland in killary Harbour? A deep water port would not cost much to put in.

Yes forgot about Killary, not sure how suitable it is, but it seems to fit the bill as a sheltered deep harbor? Why didn't it developed in the past, remote location? Road access would be a big negative also.

This is a good, well thought-out manifesto (if you like) for a lot of what is needed for the County and the Region....Some of the work of the western development commission is good about these type of ideas...

Western Development Commission
I agree they have done some very thorough, insightful research work. The "Creative West" report was a breath of fresh air. But they are lacking any power or influence to engage the real stakeholders to deliver, and I'm not sure their work registers at a national level. They should provide more focused actionable recommendations to build the strongest case possible for new policies.

When resources are scarce we can't rely on wide scale framework plans and hope everything will fall into place, we need to look for smaller, more affordable, deliverable projects that can make the most impact. They seem to be falling into the usual Irish political trap of looking for everything for everyone, that somehow every County in the BMW region can have a hub city, multinational industries, major roads and airports.

Take for example air access:
I was disappointed by the recent WDC "Air Access and Western Region – A Regional Perspective" report. It followed the DOTs "Value for money review of regional airports" which took 2 years to evaluate each airport and finally made some clear recommendations on forming sustainable airports policy and best use of limited resources.

The main thrust of the DOT report was that the benefits of many regional airports are overstated and large state subsidy to 6 regional airports on the Western seaboard should not continue as is. In general they make a very small contribution to business and tourism access, and are extremely costly to subsadise, with little measurable ROI. Vast majority of regional access is still via the 3 state airports. With new road, bus and rail infrastructure many remote areas are now far closer to state airports and the cost of small regional airports in no longer justified with collapsing passenger numbers.

The DOT report did however make a case for developing Knock in BMW region as the exception with stronger longterm commercial prospects, far better infrastructure as well as growing tourism contribution and passenger numbers.

Instead of rowing in behind those recommendations with a strategic plan to develop a strong hub airport in the BMW region, the WDC report uses the more vague tourism/business "support" language, labels most of the west coast "inaccessible", pushes NSS "hubs" and out of date passenger numbers to justify maintaining the current system of subventing 6 competing airports in a low density region that could reasonably only support 2 at most.

Don't get me wrong it's good that the WDC are making the case for maintaining regional air access. But I think this was a lost opportunity to make the case for a strategically located airport in the centre of the BMW region to become the main air access hub and much lower cost and higher overall benefit to the region in terms of more routes and frequencies.

Neworder79

Interesting proposal from last weekends World Mayo Convention in Westport.

http://www.mayotoday.ie/index.php/browse-mayo-news-by-category/business/item/2925-baxter-chief-calls-for-€1bn-development-fund-for-mayo.html

Baxter chief suggesting the establishment of a €1bn development fund for the county. I think he has a point, there is investment trickling down through various channels but no one agency is looking at the county's needs from an integrated development position. If one agency had such powers they could prioritise and focus investment in key problem areas rather than spending years lobbying government for projects like the N5.

How the money could be secured, or wether the council has the capability to do this is another question, sounds like local government by the back door. But great to see the multinationals making useful proposals.

“The €1bn fund might seem ludicrous at first reading, but the reality is that a huge amount of state and European investment already comes into Mayo each year. What I’m proposing is that this money be pooled together under a Mayo Integrated, Sustainable and Strategic Plan,” said Mayo native Mr Caulfield.
“We need one entity with one voice, properly staffed and capable of maintaining a significant development fund.”
Mr Caulfield believes Mayo county council could be the agency to “pull together a bold initiative of this magnitude”.
He added: “Mayo county council represent all aspects of development in Mayo, and also have the ability and staff to inter-act with all Government departments.
“The council has a bias towards action, which is what is needed at this time, and they have also have strong entrepreneurial capabilities. I would see the council as the obvious voice to pull together and administer the Mayo Integrated, Sustainable and Strategic Plan.
“One cohesive organisation, putting one case for Mayo, with the support of the people of Mayo, could target areas of funding in central Government.”

finisklin

Maybe the Baxter CEO knows something I don't but Mayo County Council and strong entrenpreneurial capabilities are terms that, for me, don't go hand in hand together.

Why?

• The retired CEO of the county enterprise board has yet to be replaced!
• A public body with strong entrepreneurial ethos is a contradiction given the onset of stealth taxes e.g. water metering etc.
• The GMIT innovation hub in Castlebar success is more down to the relationship and input of the research capabilities of the institution itself and its ties with EI, mentors etc.

I'm open to be challenged on this so please enlighten me .......

oscarBravo

finisklin wrote: »

• A public body with strong entrepreneurial ethos is a contradiction given the onset of stealth taxes e.g. water metering etc.

[...]
I'm open to be challenged on this so please enlighten me .......

Water metering isn't a stealth tax.

irishgeo

finisklin wrote: »

Maybe the Baxter CEO knows something I don't but Mayo County Council and strong entrenpreneurial capabilities are terms that, for me, don't go hand in hand together.

Why?

[*]The retired CEO of the county enterprise board has yet to be replaced!
[*]A public body with strong entrepreneurial ethos is a contradiction given the onset of stealth taxes e.g. water metering etc.
[*]The GMIT innovation hub in Castlebar success is more down to the relationship and input of the research capabilities of the institution itself and its ties with EI, mentors etc.

I'm open to be challenged on this so please enlighten me .......

i thought there was public service recruitment ban.

finisklin

oscarBravo wrote: »

Water metering isn't a stealth tax.

Fair point.....the context was the household charge being introduced and then water meters going in possibly on top of that. However, that has nothing to do with entrepreneurialism in Mayo.

Scrap that point.;)

finisklin

irishgeo wrote: »

i thought there was public service recruitment ban.

Public servants are being consistently recruited in publicjobs.ie. There is no political will to challenge the county manager on this one.