Young farmers being tied up in Govt red tape – O’Mahony

Mayo Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony, has highlighted the glaring lack of incentives that exist to encourage young men and women to consider a career in farming in Ireland. Deputy O’Mahony said he recently met with a young man who had switched from working in the construction industry to farming but who had found stumbling blocks placed in front of him as he pursued his new career.

“This young farmer had to complete his Green Cert which is compulsory for any farmer born after 1968 to be eligible for Installation Aid, Stamp Duty and Stock Relief. He was led to believe that after he had gained his Green Cert he would qualify for a recoup of the stamp duty fee that he had paid when he bought his land. However, he then learned that he would not be able to recoup the money because he started his course for the Green Cert after he had purchased the land. He’s now left with the stamp duty fee despite understanding that he would get it back.

“The real point here is not about the Green Cert or having to pay the Stamp Duty but it’s the red tape that has made his life so difficult. Surely, at a time when it’s harder and harder to convince young people to consider a life on the land, every possible incentive should be put in place for those who want to go down that road. What difference would it really have made if he had started his course before or after he bought the land?

“He also missed out on a whole raft of back to education grants because he came from a background of being employed and he didn’t qualify for anything. It’s a system that needs to be looked at again and I know it’s an issue that the IFA feel very strongly about. The reality here is that we need to be looking at ways and means of encouraging our young people to consider farming but unfortunately, the opposite seems to be the case and I intend to raise this with the Minister for Agriculture in the Dáil.”

O’Mahony calls for drugs awareness programme

While the numbers of people using some drugs has decreased the survey found that about a quarter of people aged between 15-24 have tried illegal drugs. Cannabis continues to be the most widely used drug in Ireland.

Deputy O’Mahony said that while the news that the numbers using certain drugs have decreased is to be welcomed, there could be no let up on the campaign to drive home the message that taking drugs can have deadly consequences.

“No one could have escaped the dreadful images associated with drug abuse in this country over the Christmas period. While the publicity surrounding those deaths has now subsided, the families left behind are left with so much to deal with and they have to live the rest of their lives without their loved ones. There’s nothing glamorous about a drugs related death and it’s time we put that message across more forcibly. I believe that if children were delivered that message early in their lives they would be reluctant to experiment with drugs later in their lives.

“We shouldn’t fool ourselves either that we don’t have a drugs problem here in Mayo. The numbers might not be as significant as in the larger urban areas but unfortunately there is a drugs scene in Mayo. The gardai are doing all they can but they need help from the public in identifying those who supply drugs,” he said.

O’Mahony welcomes Allergan Westport assurance

“I’ve been talking to Pat O’Donnell, the CEO of Allergan, Westport, this morning and he has assured me that the 750 jobs in the plant are secure. The company has invested €150m into the Westport plant in recent times and Mr O’Donnell has assured me that the situation at Arklow poses no threat to the Westport plant.
“I’d like to pay tribute to Pat O’Donnell and all the staff at Allergan in Westport for the magnificent job they do there. Allergan plays a huge role, not just in the everyday life of Westport people, but people from all over the West Mayo area and it’s heartening to hear that it has a bright future,” he said.

O’Mahony Calls for Cystic Fibrosis Unit in Mayo

Anyone who heard the Liveline programme couldn’t but be touched by the bravery and courage of those who live with Cystic Fibrosis. One doctor described it as like being born with Leukaemia insofar as the condition is there for life. Since I was elected last year I have become more aware of the need for more investment into the care of those with CF and I intend to do whatever it takes to keep the issue in the forefront until the facilities are provided.

“There are close to forty people living with Cystic Fibrosis here in Mayo and while they receive excellent care from the staff at Mayo General Hospital, there is a need for a dedicated stand alone unit in the hospital. I know that is what the people with CF and their families need and I can guarantee them that I’ll be doing all I can to make that a reality,” he said.

O’Mahony criticise Iarnrod Eireann for their decision to increase the cost of travelling between Mayo and Dublin

“It’s not uncommon for the train to arrive late into Mayo from Dublin. For example, last week one night the train was two hours late but not alone that, it was cold, the toilets were in poor condition and the carriages being used were old and antiquated. I talked to people who used that train and they were adamant that they would not use it again until it had improved.

“That’s not good enough in this day and age and the people who run Iarnrod Eireann must realise that the Mayo people who use the service are deserving of the same quality of facilities as people living in the east or south of the country. It’s a matter I intend to raise with the Minister for Transport, Noel Dempsey, when the Dail resumes. An improved service and facilities have been promised on the Dublin Westport line and these promises should have been delivered on before price increases were implemented he said.

O’Mahony campaigns for Charlestown District Court.

The Charlestown Court District is quite a large area and this planned closure will impact on a lot of court users, not just from Charlestown but also from, townlands near Swinford and as far as Carracastle on the Ballaghaderreen side. Sonnagh the surrounding region. It will create extra pressure on the Garda resources, the court staff, the legal profession and the media covering the courts.
“We need the support of the Government TD’S, in getting this decision overturned and ensuring that the court remains in Charlestown,” he said

O’Mahony welcomes the switching on of lights at St Michael’s Housing Estate, Kilmovee

It will be of great benefit to the people living in the area. I had been contact by local residents in the area and I am delighted to have been able to help them on this occasion.

O’Mahony wants pedestrian crossing for Ballindine

It’s an extremely busy road as it connects Mayo with Galway and the streets in Ballindine are quite wide so there is a definite need for such a crossing. Ballindine is a busy spot and is one of those small towns in Mayo that is developing at quite a pace. Local people have been on to me about this issue and I’ve asked Mayo County Council to put a crossing in place. I can’t imagine that it would cost a huge amount of money but the benefits to people living there would be very significant,” he said.

O’Mahony calls on communities to make sure elderly keep warm

“A lot of old people live alone in fairly isolated areas and I’m asking neighbours and relations to make sure that they have sufficient fuel to keep warm during this cold weather. I think the onus is one everyone of us to ensure that our elderly are safe and warm until this cold weather abates,” he said.

O’Mahony wants go ahead for Bonniconlon NS

“The staff and parents at Bonniconlon NS were informed on umpteen occasions that the new school would be going to tender in the first week of 2008. Now, however, after correspondence between the school and the Department of Education, they have been told that everything is on hold until the minister makes an announcement in January. No guarantee was given that they would be on the list despite being told that they were on it. “The school was sanctioned in 2006 after a meeting with the current minister in Knock. The project had been through the planning process and all the necessary arrangements in relation to temporary accommodation; storage etc had been put in place. However, the Department of Education is now quite vague about their commitment to Bonniconlon. It’s a very worrying time for the people of the area who have campaigned for twelve years for a new school. The local contribution is already in place but now it appears that they may well be facing a longer period of frustration,” said Deputy O’Mahony.

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