“He’s saying that it will help prevent crime but how will it do that? What evidence has been produced to link the so called ‘Tiger’ kidnappings with people using the ATM to withdraw cash? None that I can think.

The Government already collects money from hard pressed people for using cheque’s, their annual charge for ATM and Credit cards. We have government departments encouraging people to have their money paid in to banks and now they want to charge us for getting out our money.

“This is just another route to take more money out of people’s pockets and get it into Government coffers. The Minister must be living on another planet if he thinks the people will be fooled by this suggestion. If this is as good as he can come up with, then he should start to consider his future,” he said.

ENDS

“The ESTA is the compulsory internet form that must be completed prior to travel on the US Visa Waiver entry scheme. Currently the ESTA is free of charge, and is valid for two years from the time of issue. No travel arrangements need to have been made in order to apply for the ESTA.

“Therefore, if you are travelling or think that you might possibly travel to the US (including US islands in the Caribbean, Hawaii & Alaska) in the next two years, I would advise you to complete your ESTA now. Fourteen dollars may not seem like a lot of money but there are so many costs involved in travelling nowadays that any saving is welcome,” he said.

Deputy O’Mahony said the form can be completed at www.esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta

Deputy O’Mahony, who has actually published a going to college guide, doesn’t want a repeat of what happened last year when some students had to wait for months to receive their grants.

“It’s such a momentous occasion in the life of a student and that first day at third level college is truly memorable. There is a certain trepidation and stress for all first year students leaving home for the first time and the last thing they, or their families, need, is to be left waiting for their grants.

“This year, more than ever, students will have less money because of the drop in summer jobs so the grant is hugely significant. Having no financial worries helps ease the transition for students from second to third level and hopefully the process will be straightforward this year,” he said.

He concluded by wishing all students who are embarking on a new phase in their lives every happiness in their new venture. “It’s a wonderful time and it’s to be enjoyed to the full,” he said.

Deputy O’Mahony’s guide to going to college can be downloaded from www.johnomahony.ie

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It is, according to Deputy O’Mahony,a valuable scheme but he now believes that the time has come to update the conditions that are covered by it. “People suffering from mental health conditions and depression, Chrons Disease are not covered by the scheme and it’s now time to put this right,” he said.

“More and more people are presenting with these conditions and many of them do not qualify for a medical card and must pay up to €120 per month.

“I am personally aware of people who are suffering greatly and cannot get their medication simply because they cannot afford it. If the Long Term Illness Scheme was extended to cover them, then those people could be treated. Deputy O’Mahony said he would be raising the matter in the Dail when it sits again next month.

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Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony has called on John Gormley to recognise reality and reverse his daft new policy to prevent tradespeople from using commercial vehicles for occasional personal use.

“This is an example, if one were needed, of how the Green Party has totally lost touch with the reality of how most people live. John Gormley should take his head out of the sand and realise what he is doing. His plan seems to suggest that Gardaí will be asked to police church car parks, school yards, shopping centres and sports clubs to find commercial vehicles being used outside the workplace – what a joke!

“Are we effectively saying that plumbers, electricians, gardeners and salespeople need to purchase a second vehicle for all non-work related journeys, hardly realistic and hardly good green policy. If enforced, this new approach could have a massive negative impact on tradespeople at a time when they are on the floor anyway, in the depths of recession.

“The suggestion that the authorities would try to police commercial 4×4s and small vans is ridiculous.

“Tradespeople are the lifeblood of the economy. They have taken a serious hammering during the recession, and the last thing they need is this sort of petty targeting by a Government that has run out of ideas. We need a thriving small business sector to get the economy moving again. Instead of targeting sole traders and SMEs with this type of crazy measure, the Government should be supporting and encouraging them.

“Sometimes I think Green Party ministers are simply out of touch with how the real world operates.”

ENDS

“The four match ticket package proposed by the IRFU is extremely restrictive and places an undue burden on rugby fans.

“Fine Gael supported the IRFU’s stance on the ‘pay per view’ issue recently. The organisation’s pricing policy in this case is, however, counter-productive and may alienate future support for the Aviva Stadium. Rugby’s growing status is due in no small measure to the IRFU’s use of Croke Park in recent years. This was a gesture of goodwill which should now be reciprocated by the IRFU to rugby’s fans.

“It is unrealistic to expect that Aviva would generate the same income for the IRFU as Croke Park did with its 80,000 capacity, but the IRFU’s attempt to make up the short-fall by inflating ticket prices needs to be challenged.

“I fully accept that the stadium has to be paid for, but targeting supporters with over-priced tickets is the wrong way to go about it. In the current economic climate, the IRFU may find that support for the stadium will fall off if ticket prices remain prohibitive. A €40 charge for youth tickets places a further financial burden on parents.

“Tying supporters into a four-match deal for autumn internationals is unfair and restrictive. Many supporters will not be able to attend all four games.

“The IRFU needs to re-examine its ticket pricing policy immediately.”

“The Leaving Cert is a major event in the life of people who go through the school system and I want to congratulate all who completed the exam. For some students, just sitting the exam was an achievement and I think it’s important that we highlight those students as well as the high achieving academic students.

“While the exam is important it must be remembered that it’s just one step along the way in life. There is something for everyone after school and we should not lose sight of that,” he said. Deputy O’Mahony also called on students to celebrate sensibly. “We don’t want to read about excessive revelry in the papers tomorrow so my hope would be that students don’t go over the top in celebrating their results.”

ENDS

Deputy O’Mahony, who has made representation to Irish Rail in relation to the over crowding issue on the Westport – Dublin line, said the decision by the company will make travelling between Mayo and Dublin a more comfortable experience than was previously the case.

“I have received confirmation from Irish Rail that they have put extra carriages on the service as a result of my representations. That will be of immense benefit to people travelling who until now were unsure of whether they would have a seat for the duration of the journey. I have been contacted by people who have had to stand for the entire journey and by people who have had their plans disrupted by the inconvenience of the overcrowded train.

“This decision is good news for all train users from Mayo and I’m delighted that Irish Rail took my views on board and increased the number of carriages,” he said

While the decision to increase the number of carriages is initially for the holiday period I have urged Irish Rail to increase the number of carriages on a permanent basis and they have promised to monitor the situation over the next number of weeks.

ENDS

With reports from HIQA and Mott McDonald suggesting savage cuts and the centralisation of health services it is now vital that there is clarity and assurances given to the people of Mayo on the long term future of Mayo General Hospital.

This guarantee was not forthcoming when I questioned HSE officials at a recent meeting with Oireachtas in Castlebar.

The hundreds of caring and professional staff in Mayo General Hospital who have provided a wonderful service over the years also deserve clarity on the issue.

With the loss of our cancer services some time ago due to Government policy, I am calling on out Government Oireachtas members in the County to stand up for the people of Mayo on this occasion.

“With a system now in operation in many countries where travel is not permitted if your passport is within 6 months of its expiry date, people need to have them renewed in plenty of time. This will avoid panic and sometimes disappointment if people have to travel abroad at short notice.

“My advice to people is to check their passports immediately, irrespective of whether or not they are planning to travel. By doing that they can save themselves from unnecessary frustration and worrying in the event of having to make an unplanned journey,” he said.

ENDS