Westport Labour councillor, Keith Martin, says that Irish Rail should reverse its decision to increase fares on the Westport to Dublin route.  Cllr Martin says the fares increases are disincentive to rail travel and will impact on visitor numbers to the town this year.

Mayo Fine Gael TD, Michelle Mulherin, has welcomed the news that the closure of 12 beds at Ballina District Hospital has been averted following an agreement between the HSE and SIPTU that Home Help workers will carry out cleaning duties at the hospital.

Fianna Fáil Defence Spokesperson Dara Calleary has said he is baffled that the Department of Defence is now looking for army premises  Castlebar, Cavan and Mullingar, Clonmel after announcing plans to shut down the barracks in each of these towns.

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, is calling for trade unions to adopt a responsible approach in order to facilitate the delivery of improved health care and the necessary reforms. Deputy Mulherin was speaking in the Dáil on the National Health Service Plan for 2012.  And the Ballina-based TD commendded Mayo General hospital manager, Charlie Meehan, Frank Murphy, a manager in HSE West, and the staff and management who are working together to achieve efficiencies through the reconfiguration of medical and surgical beds.

On Monday, 6the February, a public seminar entitled European Economic Policy – What’s in it for Ireland? will be held at the Institute of Technology, Sligo.  Organised by the European Commission Representation in Ireland, it will feature presentations from Minister of State for European Affairs, Lucinda Creighton TD; Economics Editor of the Irish Times, Dan O’Brien; and resident adviser on Economic and Financial Affairs at the European Commission, Nigel Nagarajan. 

A solution is nearly in place that will ensure the rentenion of St. Joseph’s Hospital in Ballina as a 50 bed step down facility, Mayo Fine Gael TD Michelle Mulherin has announced. The solution will entail home help workers coming in to assist in the hospital and a change in work practices by staff in order to save hospital beds and retain the services of St. Joseph’s.

A total of €15.6 million in funding has been approved for new road projects in Co. Mayo,Mayo TD and Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring has confirmed. Some €1.56 million has been allocated to five projects in the county for larger works under the specific improvements scheme.

Fine Gael TD for Mayo, Michelle Mulherin, has warmly welcomed the confirmation given to her by Minster for the Environment, Phil Hogan, that homeowners who face difficulties in paying for upgrades to their septic tank could receive financial assistance from the State. And she has criticised opposition TDs for painting a negative picture in relatin to the septic tank registration fees.