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New Beginnings - Key Issues for Mayo
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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.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:0 -
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.0 -
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......0 -
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.0 -
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 SUCCESS0 -
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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.0 -
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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.0 -
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.0 -
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)0 -
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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.0 -
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.0 -
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.0 -
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.”0 -
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.
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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?
[*]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.0 -
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.;)0 -
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