Closure of Ballian and Claremorris Agriculture offices is farcical – O’Mahony
March 30, 2010
MAYO Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony, has described as ‘farcical’ the likely consequences of the proposed closure of the Department of Agriculture offices in both Ballina and Claremorris.
Both offices are scheduled to close to the public next month with business being transferred to Castlebar. However, Deputy O’Mahony has learned that instead of creating efficiencies the new arrangement has the potential to be both costly and inefficient.
“If a farmer from the North Mayo area has a query he will first have to talk the Castlebar office. In essence, what it means is that the technical staff will have to leave their office in Ballina, travel to Castlebar at extra expense, look at the file and travel back again to Ballina before giving the required information to the farmer.
“The entire situation is farcical. The files will be moved but the staff hasn’t because there’s no room for them in Castlebar. It is also stated policy of the Department of Agriculture that the Teagasc office and the Agriculture office are in close proximity but in the last few months the Teagasc office has closed in Castlebar. In other words, the Department is breaking its own rules.
“Minister Smith (Minister for Agriculture) is saying that the closure of these offices will save €30m on an annual basis but if the Ballina and Castlebar example is anything to go by it’s more likely to cost money. I note that Minister Calleary has been given the task of heading up public sector reform. Wouldn’t it be ironic if one of his first acts would be to oversee the closure of a Departmee new arrangement has the potential to be both costly and inefficient.
“If a farmer from the North Mayo area has a query he will first have to talk the Castlebar office. In essence, what it means is that the technical staff will have to leave their office in Ballina, travel to Castlebar at extra expense, look at the file and travel back again to Ballina before giving the required information to the farmer.
“The entire situation is farcical. The files
O’Mahony highlights the urgent need to remove the travel tax
March 25, 2010
Speech by Mayo Fine Gael John O’ Mahony TD on Fine Gael Fine Gael Private members bill Dáil Éireann Wednesday 24th March 2010
Jobs for boys rather than jobs for the people – O’Mahony
March 24, 2010
No Department for Employment or Jobs
As passport debacle continues, will the Minister issue refunds who are unable to get passports – O’Mahony
March 22, 2010
The current passport debacle that is preventing Irish citizens from travelling abroad because of the log-jam in passport applications is becoming increasingly intolerable and is affecting Ireland’s reputation abroad. The Minister must work to find a solution to allow Irish people to travel within the European Union at least, according to Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony.
“The situation regarding passport applications here has become untenable. I have been inundated with calls from people that are being prevented from travelling abroad which is completely intolerable, regardless of the ongoing industrial action. Now these people will be unable to travel and will be at a financial loss as wel
O’Mahony calls for works to start immediately to prevent flooding in both Hollymount and Roundfort
March 8, 2010
MAYO Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony, is calling for the immediate implementation of works to prevent further flooding in both Hollymount and Roundfort. Deputy O’Mahony has learned that the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) has expressed its concern in relation to the proposed programme of works by the Office of Public Works to deal with the flooding.
FF Minister confirms Castlebar school to lose 3 Special Needs Assistants – O’Mahony
March 4, 2010
Education Minister makes startling claim that SNA’s are not a matter for him
O’Mahony raises concerns of Sheep farmers Owenduff-Nephin Beg range
March 4, 2010
Mayo Fine Gael TD John O’Mahony TD raises the real concerns of Sheep farmers Owenduff-Nephin Beg range on the adjournment of Dáil Éireann, Wednesday 3rd March 2010 but the Minister rejects to help out the sheep farmers in Mayo
Kilmaine latest victim of moratorium on Garda recruitment – O’Mahony
March 3, 2010
MAYO Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony has called on the Minister for Finance, Deputy Brian Lenihan, to immediately lift the moratorium on the employment of extra Garda personnel.
€28 Million reduction in Mayo General Hospital budget for 2010 unacceptable O’Mahony
March 1, 2010
MAYO Fine Gael TD, John O’Mahony, has said that the decision by the HSE to slash the health service budgets for 2010 in Mayo by €28m will impact on every single family in Mayo at some stage this year. Deputy O’Mahony was speaking in the aftermath of the news that the hospital and community services budgets have been dramatically slashed by the HSE for 2010.
Over €25 Million spent by FF/Greens on reports in just 3 years – O’Mahony
March 1, 2010
Greens are the biggest wasters of all