The Road Safety Authority (RSA) chairman

By Caitrina Cody
Thursday July 02 2009
ROAD safety tsar Gay Byrne yesterday admitted to drinking and driving in the past but said it was part of the Irish culture at the time.
He also confided he used to regularly drive home while over the limit, sometimes after presenting the 'Late Late Show'.
The Road Safety Authority (RSA) chairman made the surprising admission as he continues to campaign for responsible driving.
Great
"I remember the days when I drove home from the 'Late Late Show' late at night -- the great thing in those days was to have a drink or two, or three, in the green room with the guests to thank them for coming and all that," he said.
"Undoubtedly I was over the limit, night after night, until at some stage I was told by the controller of programmes that I wasn't to drive myself home from the show anymore, drunk or sober," recalled Mr Byrne.
The former RTE presenter said his behaviour would have been viewed as perfectly acceptable back in the 1980s.
"Certainly 10 years ago, perhaps even five years ago, if you told your pals that you had had 17 large brandies last night and drove yourself home -- just about making it through the gate -- you probably would have been clapped on the back for it."
Mr Byrne was announcing details of a new six-month RSA campaign to promote road safety when he made the comments and said that Ireland is currently undergoing huge cultural changes.
"I believe that most people in Ireland are trying to be safer," he said.
"Many of us thought nothing about drinking and driving back in the day but that is definitely changing."
He said Irish drivers are now more conscientious about not drinking and driving.
Culture
"It's a huge adjustment for this country and shows that you can change a culture, slowly but surely."
Mr Byrne said when he looked back now he was grateful he never hurt anyone.
"Thank God I got away with it -- thank God that nothing ever happened to anyone," he said.
"It was simply the done thing then and nobody ever thought twice about it. They told you to take care, but not that you shouldn't be doing it."
Nowadays he says that he is lucky that his wife chooses not to drink alcohol.
"I'm blessed with a wife that has no interest in drinking and is prepared to do the driving for both of us."

Inaccessible schools highlighted

MONDAY, 08 JUNE 2009



Edwin McGreal

WITH ten polling stations in Mayo listed as ‘are either inaccessible or pose difficulties for accessibility for those with disabilities’, Mayo disabled rights campaigner Tom Chambers has highlighted the problems these can create for children with disabilities.
“The ten stations listed are all national schools and while it brings up a big issue for people in those areas with a disability who want to vote, it brings up an even bigger problem for children who may have a disability in going to their local national school.
”At the minute there might be no children in those locations with disability issues but what happens if a young child comes to school age with a disability? They will have to go to another school and forsake their local school. Immediately they feel different,” said Chambers.
“It also brings about major problems for their parents in terms of time, bringing their children to a school which is not the nearest to their house. Politicians running for election need to take a more active role in making these schools accessible.”
There has been an improvement in accessibility since 2004, the last local elections, when 38 of the 240 polling stations were inaccessible. But, says Tom Chambers, this still isn’t good enough.
“Funding has been allocated but where has it been spent? We need to make every school/polling station accessible. It is not a lot to ask. Close to 10% of people in Mayo have a disability. They should not have to be inconvenienced like this.”
For the record the ten schools declared as inaccessible are Meelickmore, Ballycusheen, Shrule and Robeen (all Claremorris area); Currane, Carrowteigue, Doohoma (all Achill/Erris area); Rooskey and Barnacahogue (both Swinford) and Lecanvey (Westport area).

Disabled man gets €3k over egg attack by rail staff

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Ireland: Windy with sunny spells and showers »



Tuesday, June 16, 2009

A WHEELCHAIR user had an egg thrown at him by disgruntled rail staff, angry that he had to use the dining car when travelling on the train.

William Hennessy, who is in his 40s and now living in Dublin, was awarded €3,000 by the Equality Tribunal after it was found he had been harassed by staff attached to Network Catering on Irish Rail.

Mr Hennessy told the tribunal that a change in the regulations in 1999 meant he could no longer park his wheelchair in the baggage area of the train.

He had to park his wheelchair in a designated spot in the dining car, but as he needed a motorised wheelchair, which is larger than a manual wheelchair, space was tight and his wheelchair often jutted out into the aisle.

In addition to being refused access to the train on a number of occasions, Mr Hennessy said in the dining car he came to feel maligned by staff members who believed he was taking up space that might have been used by customers.

He said the service trolley was rammed into his wheelchair as it moved past, and staff would ask him to move, even though they knew he needed assistance.

On April 27, 2000, he exited the train at Kent Station in Cork and an egg was thrown at him from the direction of the dining car.

The Equality Tribunal said it was "an undisputed fact" that an egg was thrown after Mr Hennessy left the train on April 27, 2000, and that he ultimately received a written apology.

Irish Rail was ordered to display a visible notice that "passengers with disabilities are welcome to travel and enjoy the amenity of the train without interference".

Mr Hennessy welcomed the tribunal’s decision but said "the award will not even pay for one" wheel- chair damaged on the train.



This story appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Albania – Women and Girls with Disabilities

Albania
Women in Albanian society are still being subject to discrimination. Women and girls with disabilities represent one of the most marginalised groups and subject to multiple discriminations. Unfortunately, little or almost nothing is said about the reality of their lives ant the policy framework of the country is failing to include, treat or provide solutions to elimination of this discrimination.
Women with disabilities are not being treated equally with other women. All laws and strategies about people with disabilities fail to include the gender perspective component and there are no efforts being made in relation to the gender equality. Women with disabilities do not have a voice in the formulation of government documents and policies. There is also lack of organisation of women with disabilities themselves.
In order to enhance the awareness of central and local institutions, non-for-profit organisations and all stakeholder groups in the areas of disability and gender equality, Albanian Disability Rights Foundation, supported by US Agency for International Development, organised the first national conference on the Human Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Albania. The conference took place in Tirana on 26th May 2009 and was attended by many representatives of governmental institutions and the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities (this Department also supported organisation of this event).
A report compiled by the Albanian Disability Rights Foundation called “Women with Disability in Albania – Included or Neglected?” was launched at the conference and thee set of recommendations was presented. This report is available in CIL Carmichael House

Corrib protesters gear up for summer of unrest

Mayo Advertiser, June 05, 2009.
By Toni Bourke

Tensions in north Mayo have escalated once again with eight arrests over the weekend and one on Tuesday when a large number of protesters gathered for the summer Rossport Peace Camp. With the Solitaire due to arrive back in Mayo waters in the next month, the Rossport Solidarity Camp has taken up residence in Glengad in a bid to build up the resistance to Shell over the coming weeks and months. Mary Sweeney of the Rossport Solidarity Camp said: “Resistance in Mayo is building again. We’re expecting many waterborne activists from across Europe to arrive over the following weeks. The Solitaire will leave Irish waters once again with no pipeline laid.”

While Shell to Sea claim over 200 people from the local community and the Rossport Solidarity summer camp gathered at the weekend to attempt to dismantle Shell’s compound at Glengad, the gardaí have the figure at just over 100.

Seven men and one woman were arrested and brought to Ballina Garda Station for public order offences. Gardaí on duty in the area were backed up by the Public Order Unit who were confronted by the protesters. The eight have been charged and are due to appear before Belmullet District Court on June 10.

These actions came the day after Maura Harrington was released from jail for the non-payment of fines.

On Tuesday a man was arrested after dredging work in Broadhaven Bay was delayed by up to an hour. According to Shell to Sea the dredgers arrived in the bay on Monday evening and had been working continuously through the night. Two Shell to Sea protesters occupied a crane on the ‘Razende Bol’, one of the dredging boats preparing a channel for the off-shore pipeline in Broadhaven Bay. Work on the dredging was completely halted. The other dredger and its accompanying sea barge were moved out of the immediate area.

The same evening a group of 12 Irish Flotilla canoeists evaded the security powerboats and two police ribs protecting the works and reached the side of the vessel. They climbed aboard and gained access to the dredging arm where they sat for 10 hours. On Wednesday they ended their protest.

IBEC West Regional Director John Brennan has said the controversy surrounding the project has meant the regional and national significance of the project is being overlooked.

“Ireland is 90 per cent dependent on imported gas. Power plants fuelled by natural gas generate more than 60 per cent of our electricity. This makes us highly reliant on gas supply from other countries. Ireland is at the end of a very long supply chain, which exposes us to risks of supply interruption and price volatility. If anything were to occur that disrupted this supply, we would have a serious energy crisis in this country. Many tend to overlook the fact that the Corrib gas field will supply up to 60 per cent of Ireland’s gas needs at peak production,” Mr Brennan outlined.

EU North West candidate Fiacra Ó Luain has offered his support to the protesters saying he will defend them in anyway he can. He challenged the other candidates in today’s election to make public their policies with regard to Ireland’s off-shore oil and gas.

All this comes in the same week that TV3 aired a documentary by journalist Paul Williams about the Corrib controversy. In it Fr Kevin Hegarty highlighted the financial investment the Shell project has brought to Erris while adding that the protesters only represent one per cent of the local community. Paul Williams himself and Chief Superintendent Tony McNamara spoke of the paramilitary style damage that was caused at the terminal this year. Dublin Shell to Sea have dubbed the documentary as “shockingly biased”.

Hotels and the Disabled

Tuesday, 19 May 2009
“For disabled tourists facing into a journey, fear of the unknown is often a key element. Not being aware of the accessibility status of places and venues can easily undermine the will to travel.”


Tom Chambers

TOURISM is missing out on millions or euros annually, because of its failure to cater for the needs of the disabled according to a survey carried out by the University of Ulster, ‘School of Built Environment’.
The survey found that while staff, at tourist offices was helpful, less than half could offer useful advice. Disabled visitors are left to hope for the best, the survey warned and it added that not only is it bad for the tourism, it is bad for business.
Many critics in Westport, including myself, have called on the tourist trade here to wake up to the fact that disabled tourists are lucrative customers. Research indicates that there are over 55 million people with disability resident in the European Union alone.
That figure points to the potential size of the market. For disabled tourists facing into a journey, fear of the unknown is often a key element. Not being aware of the accessibility status of places and venues can easily undermine the will to travel.
The life of a disabled person such as I is effectively controlled by that of the able-bodied world. But what is the right of a disabled person? Are we safe having our lives structured, or can we also be leaders of such vital legislation?
For tourists with mobility, sensory and cognitive impairment, what has a town like Westport, having the title of ‘Tidiest Town in Ireland’ to offer the disabled? What is the point in dressing up if there is nowhere to go? By this I mean are the pubs, hotels, toilets, swimming pools, cinemas, public library, post office, B and Bs, restaurants, takeaways, GAA pitches, heritage centres, parking facilities all universally accessible?
Westport Tourist Office is the only Tourist Office in Co Mayo open the whole year, yet it is totally inaccessible for people with disabilities.
It can be so frustrating. Ask any person with a disability if they have tried to book a room with a level access shower? Not easy, is it?
You call a hotel with a wheelchair sign in the guide and the conversation goes something like this: ‘Do you have accessible rooms?”’ If the answer is yes, the next question is ‘do you have level access showers?‘.
The answer will range from ‘What do you mean?’ to ‘Well it does have a ledge?’ to ‘No, but we do have baths and the room is wheelchair-friendly’.
If you are lucky enough to get a positive reply and there is a level access shower the next question you might ask is ‘Do they have a shower chair?‘.
Silence for a minute, then this leads to another ‘What do you mean?‘. How difficult is it to understand that people who can’t walk or stand needs something to sit on in a shower, preferably a shower chair. And how are you supposed to get into a bath when your legs can’t work. You will travel the length and breadth of this country looking for a hotel with both a level access shower and a shower wheelchair.
So I decided to contact Fáilte Ireland which administers what it calls the Validated Accessible Scheme (VAS). This scheme is designed to encourage hotels to be more accessible to people with disabilities. VAS has 4 categories ranging from category 1, which is for people with enough mobility to walk into a room, to category 4, where the guest requires assistance to shower, etc.
Fáilte Ireland informed me that 29 Irish hotels have registered with the scheme. The Irish Federation has a membership of approximately 800 hotels. This would mean that at most 3.6% of their hotels are in the scheme .
Why is the performance not better? Well first of all it’s a commercial issue. If a hotel doesn’t need to spend what ever little extra it costs to build a wheelchair-friendly room why should they bother? But hold it there - surely we have legislation which requires hotels to provide specific facilities for the disabled?

Tom Chambers is a wheelchair bound disability campaigner who lives in Newport.

Almost half of those living with arthritis in the west are ‘too sore to socialise’

Mayo Advertiser, May 01, 2009.
By Toni Bourke
The first nationwide survey on patient wellbeing and relationships, conducted by Arthritis Ireland and sponsored by Schering-Plough Pharmaceuticals (Ireland), shows almost one in two (45.8 per cent) people with arthritis can no longer participate in social activities they used to enjoy, while one in three (31.3 per cent) are worried about how their condition has affected their appearance. The survey, which was conducted among 128 people with arthritis in seven rheumatology clinics around the country throughout 2008, shows the debilitating effect of arthritis on people as everyday life becomes difficult or impossible to maintain.
The survey gives an insight into the emotional wellbeing of people in the west with arthritis, revealing that one in three (32.7 per cent) say they are sad and depressed while two out of five (40.8 per cent) admit that sometimes it is hard to keep going and that their arthritis is a constant worry for them. One survey respondent declared: “I feel like arthritis has changed me from a normally positive, healthy, person to a depressed, lonely, fed-up, irritable person finding it hard to keep it together.”
Respondents who were in relationships discussed the impact that their arthritis has had on their relationship. Over one in three (35.7 per cent) believe their condition has had a negative impact on intimacy with their spouse or partner, with some stating they no longer have an active sex life. One survey respondent said: “We no longer have an active sex life but cuddling is also a bit curtailed which I regret.” Noticeably, for those respondents who are separated, divorced, or living apart, one in two (50 per cent) believe their arthritis was a contributing factor to their relationship break-up.
In response to the survey findings, Arthritis Ireland has produced a free support booklet entitled Coping with Emotions which offers support and advice on dealing with the emotions that accompany a diagnosis of arthritis. It is available by contacting Arthritis Ireland on LoCall 1890 252 846 or can be downloaded on www.arthritisireland.ie. Arthritis Ireland also provides a confidential helpline for people with arthritis, their families, carers, friends, and health professionals. It can be contacted from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday on LoCall 1890 252 846.

Castlebar man disqualified and fined for parking in disabled spot

Castlebar man disqualified and fined for parking in disabled spot
Mayo Advertiser, May 01, 2009.
A Castlebar man who parked in a disabled space while he went to visit relatives was disqualified from driving for six months and convicted and fined €500 at Ballina District Court on Tuesday.
Garda Melanie McGowan received a report on October 21 2008 at 6.15pm that a Honda van was parked in a disabled spot outside houses in Healy Terrace, Ballina. On arrival at the scene, Garda McGowan observed that no disability badge was displayed on the van before she spoke to the owner of the car, Brian Lawrence, 95 Manor Village, Castlebar.
Lawrence told the garda that he was visiting a relative and parked in the spot, which is for a disabled woman who lives in the houses nearby.
The unemployed man was convicted, fined, and disqualified by Judge Mary Devins. Recognisances were fixed.

Wreath laying to mark May Day and Michael Davitt

Friends and supporters of the Labour Party watch as Cllr Keith Martin and David Fallon of the Westport Labour Party lay a wreath at the Michael Davitt memorial on the Newport Road, Westport to mark May Day and the contribution of Michael Davitt to the Labour movement.

Ballina councillors question work on disability plan

Mayo Advertiser, May 01, 2009.
By Colm Gannon
While welcoming a report on the disability strategic plan for Mayo County Council at their monthly meeting last week, a number of Ballina councillors raised concerns about the work being done outside public buildings in relation to disability issues in the town.
Fianna Fáil Councillor Johnny O’Malley told the meeting: “Myself and Cllr Peter Clarke were elected to a committee before in relation to disability issues after the last local elections, but the committee have never met. I’m a bit surprised by this plan and how it doesn’t take into account other things in the council’s control, like paths, dipped crossings, audio pedestrian crossings, and car parking spaces, even to ensure the provision of disabled toilets under planning permission. I would also like to think that we would be able to develop a plan where we would plan to put in both Braille and audio books in our libraries for people with a particular need.”
Sinn Féin Cllr Peter Clarke echoed his fellow councillor’s disappointment that the committee never met. “I’m very disappointed that this committee we were appointed to has never met. I have gone out with Tom Chambers, Newport, a disability campaigner and walked through the streets of Ballina and got him to point out things in the town that are not accessible or hard to access for disabled people. Which there are many.” Cllr Clarke also asked the town council if there was a disability audit for the town and if it would be made available to the councillors. He was told later in the meeting there is an audit and it would be given to the councillors.
Cllr Mary Kelly told the meeting: “I welcome the plan but there is still an awful lot of work to be done, we have to ensure that there is no discrimination against people because they may be disabled. But I am disappointed that it has taken from November 2006 to now to get where we currently are with this report. We have to ensure that we have housing that is accessible for disabled people so they can live comfortably. Great credit must be given to those people who are out there every day campaigning on behalf of those with disabilities.”
Fianna Fáil Cllr Padraig Moore also expressed his disappointment that two of his fellow councillors had been appointed to a committee that had never met. “I’m frustrated and confused to hear that two of the councillors have been appointed to a committee that has never met and will not meet before this council ends. I’m also frustrated that this is the result of three years work and we have so much more to do.”

Human Rights Abuse in Australian Institution

A photo was published on 16th March 2009 showing an Australian residential care worker found asleep in a resident’s bed. A carer kicked a severely disabled woman out of her bed, changed into her own pyjamas, climbed into the woman’s bed and went to sleep.

The carer was discovered ion the morning by another support worker who was to replace her on the morning shift. The disabled woman was sitting in the kitchen all night. The residential care centre conducted an external investigation of the incident. The carer was cautioned and returned to overnight shifts.

This is a perfect example of human rights abuse, as the fact that the carer kicked out a resident out of her own bed didn’t matter – all that was investigated was the fact that the carer slept during her shift, which potentially endangered the residents.

Motorist parked in disabled space

From the Connaught Telegraph March 31st Edition

Motorist parked in disabled space

A SLIGO man with 13 previous traffic convictions was sentenced to 28 days imprisonment at Ballina Co. Mayo district Court last week.
The court heard Gregory Lynagh, Cullens, Sligo, was parked in a disabled parking bay at Abbey Street, Ballina, when Garda Martin McNicholas observed that his vehicle had no insurance disc or NCT disc.
The tax disc had expired in June of 2006. The defendant had 13 previous traffic convictions. The defendant told Judge Mary Devins he was parked in the disabled bay for 5 minutes when he went to buy a bag of chips.
There was no parking elsewhere in the area. He said he was unemployed and lived on his own in Dromore West. Judge Mary Devins told the defendant he could park his car elsewhere and walked to the chip shop instead of parking in a disabled bay.
She fined him €1,000 for not having insurance and disqualified him from driving for 5 years and sentenced him to 28 days imprisonment.
In relation to not having his car taxed, no NCT or driving license, Judge Devins fined the defendant a total of €900.

Mayo advertiser April 17, 2009

Mayo advertiser April 17, 2009

Newport woman to appeal disqualification for parking in disabled spot

Recognizance was fixes to appeal the sentence handed down by judge Devins to a Newport woman who she disqualified from driving for a year for parking in a disabled space.

Lena Mulchrone Derrylahan Newport, Co Mayo who was not in court or represented at the original hearing applied to the court to fix recognizance to appeal the circuit court which was granted.

Judge Devins asked Mulchrone you were supposed to appear in Castlebar Distict Court on April 1, why did you not show up? To which Mulchrone replied I was stressed out at the time and had a lot going on in my head and forgot about it. However Judge Devins was less than sympatric and replied; So stressed out that I convicted you of parking in a disabled space and you weren’t here you can tell that to the circuit court when you appeal.

Judge Devins fixed recognizance at €500 and an €1,000.

Connaught Telegraph 2nd June 2009

Woman drivers disqualified for parking in disabled bays
Two female motorists who parked in disabled bays in a Castlebar car park have each been put off the road for one year.

A van belonging to Mary Collins of 35 Lui na Greine, a disabled space in the Castlebar Street car park in June 5 last. Her vehicle wasn’t displayed a permit. A fixed penalty notice is –sued, but wasn’t paid. In the second case, a vehicle owned by Lena Mulchrone from Derrylahan, Newport was found in a disabled space in the same car park on June 30 without a valid permit. Similarly, a ticked issued but wasn’t paid. Both women were fined €300 by Judge Mary Devins plus €150 costs and they were banned from driving for one year.

Parting shot at Minister as Chambers warns of implications for Newport

TUESDAY, 10 MARCH 2009
Parting shot at Minister as Chambers warns of implications for Newport


Neill O’Neill

COUNCILLOR Frank Chambers attended his last hometown meeting as an elected representative yesterday (Monday), and used the opportunity to call on the County Council not to allow the electoral area division in Newport divide the people of the town.
Cllr Chambers called the re-drawing of the electoral area boundary through the heart of Newport a ‘disgraceful decision by any minister’ and expressed his concern that it could divide the town in that people on either side of the river would now be subject to the workings of different council offices and personnel. Cllr Chambers said the unity that exists among the people of Newport is integral to the local community, and sounded warnings that unless a concerted effort is made to protect this, Newport could end up in a situation like Charlestown and Bellaghy.
“One thing I don’t want to see happening is Newport town itself being divided by these new boundaries,” Cllr Chambers said. “There needs to be a unity among the groups in Newport such as the Tidy Towns and the Newport Development Company. We now have a situation where people will have to meet two separate engineers in order to get anything done on either side of the river, and separate offices will be deciding on funding and what can be done in different parts of Newport, even though it is the same town. The integrity of the town is fundamental and going forward things like planning need to be done for the whole town, and not just for some areas.”
Cllr Chambers used the example of how the river meanders in and out of different council areas as it enters Newport. He said this would lead to a lot of duplication and confusion over, for example, which engineer was in charge of the area and where applications or submissions should be made.
“We do not want to be divided,” he said. “In electoral terms we already are, but the community does not want to be.”
Cllr Margaret Adams agreed with her party colleague and called the redrawing of the boundary through Newport ‘unreasonable’. Cllr John O’Malley went one further and said it was ‘pure mad’ and among the ‘daftest’ things he had ever heard.
“The only thing we can do now is work to keep the town cohesive,” he said, as Cllr Adams called for a liaison officer to be appointed to deal with the issues Cllr Chambers had raised.
The decision to redraw the electoral area boundary through Newport forced Cllr Chambers to opt out of politics, according to Cllr O’Malley, with Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Cllr Martin Keane, describing the decision as an ‘absolute disgrace’. Cllr Keane wished Cllr Chambers and his wife and family all the best for the future, and thanked him for his service to the Westport area over the past 30 years. These sentiments were echoed around the table, with Cllr Austin Francis O’Malley saying that he found it difficult to believe that Mayo had seen the end of Frank Chambers’ political career.
Director of Services in the Westport Electoral Area, Mr Peter Hynes, said that there were some advantages to the boundary change, adding that Newport would now have eight councillors with money to spend rather than four. He said that Mayo County Council is very aware of the need for integration in Newport and is keen to preserve it

Hammered woman didn't hammer TD

Hammered woman didn't hammer TD
Athlone Advertiser, March 27, 2009.
By Finian Coghlan

A woman who attempted to assault Deputy Mary O'Rourke with an inflatable hammer on the reviewing stand of the St Patrick's Day parade had her case adjourned until early next month, at the District Court this week (March 25).

“F**k Fianna Fail and f**k the recession,” she was alleged to have shouted at the TD in her abortive attempt at some sort of political protest in front of a host of the town's dignitaries at the platform on the town bridge last Tuesday week.

The woman, a local in her fifties, has been charged with one public order offence on foot of her alleged drunken behaviour.

She appeared briefly in the District Court on Wednesday to hear Judge Elizabeth McGrath adjourn the hearing of her case until April 8 after the defendant's solicitor Paul Connellan told the court a medical certificate had not yet been completed on his client.

“It was one of the funniest things I ever saw,” said one of the people sharing the platform.

Campaigner welcomes Minister Maloney’s speech

Campaigner welcomes Minister Maloney’s speech

Dear editor

The Centre for Independent Living (CIL) Carmichael House launched, its
Strategic Plan (2009-2014) by Mr. John Moloney TD for Equality, Disability and Mental Health along with the DVD of Strasbourg Freedom Drive (2007) in the Park Inn Hotel on Saturday 31st January 2009. Proinsias De Rossa, MEP and Mary Lou McDonald, MEP both attended the launch and described the Strasbourg Freedom Drive campaign as the most effective lobbying campaigns targeting the EU Parliament.

Mr. Moloney stated in his opening speech that he would like to “reassure people with disabilities that their services and rights will not be hit even though we are facing very difficult times” He confirmed that he specifically would not be using the line of economic downturn in relation to disability sector. This was warmly welcomed by Disability Campaigner Tom Chambers Newport Co Mayo.

Chairperson of CIL. Michael McCabe highlighted the concerns of disabled people in relation to the cutbacks. “The disability sector in Ireland in the last number of years made some progress and the quality of services provided improved significantly. This must be protected despite the worsening economic climate” He also said that he was pleased that Ireland has signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and hoped that its ratification and implementation will be supported by all parties.

The Minister invited CIL Carmichael House to put Direct Payments on the agenda for the quarterly meetings he committed to direct payments are cash paid to individuals to enable them to employ, either directly or indirectly, individuals to assist them with their everyday tasks. This system proved to be a very efficient way of Personal Assistance (PA) service delivery in the UK and Sweden. Ireland still does not have legislation on this. Minister Moloney said that he is fully supporting the area of Direct Payments and recognizes that several savings can be made by implication of this.

“Politicians are not experts on disability, people with disabilities are,” said Ms. McDonald. “So continue planning, strategizing and raising voices at your campaigns.”
“In the current economic climate we are all going to take a hit one way or the other,” said Mr. De Rossa. “However people with disabilities should not be expected to pay the price.”


Finally, Mr. Chambers informed MEPs that attended the launch of the 2009 Strategic plan that the Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2009 which will be coordinated by Ireland supported from Germany the date is set for the week of 9th September. He also will be making contact with his local MEPs.


Yours truly,

Tom Chambers
Disability Campaigner
The Billy Ranch
Newport
Co Mayo

Is this more promises said Tom Chambers

HOME News €150,000 Mill Street
€150,000 Mill Street
Monday, 16 March 2009
€150,000 Mill Street upgrade should get under way shortly


Neill O’Neill

PLANS are at an advanced stage to revamp Westport’s longest street, in a project that will cost upwards of €150,000.
Work should begin as soon as the public consultation period of six weeks is finished, and the aim of the project will be to bring Mill Street in line with other streets in the town, with projected tree bays, street crossings and general upgrade works to footpaths and kerbing.
Westport Town Architect, Simon Wall, told last week’s monthly meeting of Westport Town Council that there will be three raised street crossings as part of the plan – in front of Paddy Powers, in front of the new physiotherapy practice and in front of the Tidy Towns monument on The Fairgreen. There will be projected tree bays at a number of locations, including at the Mill Times Hotel, Herterich’s Butchers and Navin’s Funeral Home, to name a few. Two loading bays will be in place, one either side of the entrance to the hotel car park, while the work will mean the loss of six car-parking spaces.
However, Mr Wall also stated that parking spaces will be lined out on the street which will make for even more spaces than currently exist, and could negate the number of spaces lost to as low as one. Upgrades to kerbing and footpaths, including disability works, will also form part of the project, though the level of the street surface will not be raised. The trees used in the project will be among the biggest semi-mature trees ever brought into Ireland.
Another feature of the works will be the continuation of the footpath in front of the car-parking spaces at The Fairgreen, which will be marked out by a different colour surface, and should eliminate the practice of double-parking in the area.
Cllr Dave Keating, who has long campaigned for Mill Street to be upgraded, said he would not be complaining about this kind of investment, but called for the parking spaces outside the Grove Medical Centre to remain, and for the wishes of the residents to be part of the plan.
There were also calls to ensure that safety was the priority and not aesthetics, and Cllr Declan Dever asked that car-parking also be facilitated outside the pharmacy on Mill Street.
Cllr Tereasa McGuire questioned the wisdom of placing a loading bay outside private houses, and said she had reservations about the area around the clock where Mill Street, High Street, Bridge Street and Shop Street converge. Cllr Brendan Mulroy agreed with this assessment, saying the clock area needs to be re-negotiated as part of this proposal. He suggested re-opening the avenue at the back of the clock to free up traffic.
Westport Town Manager, Mr Peter Hynes, said that while the practicality and safety concerns of the proposal were key concerns, he would make no apology for considering the beauty of the town as an important part of this plan.
“A lot of the commerce of this town is dependent on its pretty image,” he stated

With the upbeat campaign message and song of "Things can only get better!" Labour's Cllr Keith Martin is hoping to make a historic breakthrough in south-west Mayo and take one of the four seats in the Westport Electoral Area.


But campaigning in an area as big as County Louth is no easy task, especially when one considers the number of boreens, bog roads and back roads than Cllr Martin must travel up to meet the those thousands of elusive voters who do not live in the towns and villages of west Mayo


So to allow him to meet the electorate in a bit of comfort and privacy Cllr Martin has converted a small caravan into a mobile clinic which travels the electoral area allowing him to work from his office-no matter where he is.


"It was a case of Mohammad going to meet the mountain as this is one of the largest electoral areas in the country and my constituents are spread out from the town of Westport out to Clew Bay and Clare Island, down to the boarder with County Galway and back up to Westport. This mobile clinic allows me to meet people in comfort and privacy. Its also great for my canvassers and I to have a base to operate from."


The caravan is decked out with Labour Party logos and Cllr Martin's website and contact details, and inside it is kitted out with a gas stove and sink, shelves of books and application forms and a desk for paperwork and a laptop.


"Its not super high tech but we do have Sat-Nav, wireless broadband and tea and coffee facilities on board and I use the shower room as a soundproof area to use the phone for my radio interviews and when discussing sensitive or confidential issues. Its not Air Force One but it does the job. In fact, we call the caravan Labour Force One and it's getting a great reaction from the public who often wave or give a honk on the car-horn when we pass by."


In addition to setting up shop in villages and on the side of the road Cllr Martin is taking his clinic to every church in the area to maximise the number of voters he can meet before polling day on June 5th. From a speaker system in the towing car Cllr Martin addresses a crowd wherever he can find them and when on the road the speakers blare out the 1990s hit "Things can only get better!" by D:Ream.


A Town Councillor in Westport for the past five years Cllr Martin is ready to take the step up to Mayo County Council and while very familiar with the challenges faced by towns like Westport he is very aware of the rural issues like broadband, clean water and housing.


"Working on my Uncle's farm I know what it is to milk cows, cut and save hay and turf and even to help make butter in a plunge churn. I know that farming in Mayo is hard work for little return and that cattle and sheep farmers are hurting since the last budget. The issues are those of jobs, housing and basics like water, roads and broadband.


"Tip O'Neil once said that 'All politics is local' and I believe the same can be said for economics. I believe that we need to fight the recession at a local level here in Mayo and I am ready to lead that fight. Already I have proposed a three point plan for businesses of Rates freezes, Rent reductions and Rates rebates for start up businesses which will keep people in work and help to create new jobs and opportunities. We also need Mayo County Council to start work on a new N5 link to Mullingar."


Once elected Cllr Martin has given a commitment to keep his mobile clinic on the road so that voters will see as much of him after he's elected as they did before.


"I think the message has to be one of hope. People are tired of recrimination and blame and we all know who is responsible for putting us in this mess. My message is one of hard work and hope. I believe if we're positive, if we work together then things can only get better!"


Contact:

Keith Martin

086 0691182 Mobile

098 24852 Office

www.thingscanonlygetbetter.ie

Castlebar gardaí warn of zero tolerance over

Castlebar gardaí warn of zero tolerance over
Mayo Advertiser, March 13, 2009.
A 31 per cent increase in the number of people failing breath tests over the month of February in County Mayo, shows the battle against drink-driving is never ending. If St Patrick's Day revellers decide to drive drunk, they had better have more than the 'luck of the Irish' to cover the financial consequences of a drunk driving arrest. A campaign is being launched in Mayo which will tie into the Road Safety Authority’s message to “Never, ever, drink and drive”.

“Twenty-nine is an unacceptably high figure, and we are disappointed that so many people have risked their own and other people's safety by getting behind the wheel while over the limit,” said Noel Gibbons, road safety officer for Mayo County Council.

“Because St Patrick's Day is a notorious drinking holiday, we are launching an aggressive campaign to address drunk and other dangerous driving behaviour that puts our families at risk,” said Sergeant Joe McKenna, Castlebar Garda headquarters.

“Rest assured that in the coming year we will continue our efforts to educate motorists to the dangers of drink-driving, as well as enforcing the law. Everyone is being given ample warning that there will be zero tolerance for those caught getting behind the wheel after having too much to drink.”