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An attack has been made on cynics who accuse local government authorities of 'dragging their feet.' Mayo County Manager Mr. Des Mahon said the image portrayed by the knockers was without foundation. He stated Mayo County Council did its business very efficiently. Mr. Mahon cited the example of a recent monthly meeting in which 55 items on the agenda were dealt with in the space of three hours. "That is hardly the form of a council which delays in its decision making process." Mr. Mahon made his comments on the occasion of the visit of Environment Minister Mr. Noel Dempsey T.D. to Aras an Chontae. In a wide-ranging address, he spelled out the need for the council to be compensated for the loss of £250,000 in rates following the closure of the Asahi plant in Killala. He told the Minister the council should be considered for an increased allocation in respect of flooding relief. Mr. Mahon said the council was putting 'a big input' into sanitary services, but new sewerage schemes were required in a number of areas including Ballina where major developments were held up because of the unsatisfactory situation. The council also faced a dilemma in regard to the disposal of waste and it was going to place a severe financial burden on the authority in future years. Mr. Pat Kilbane, chairman, spoke of the problem of coastal erosion and how private lands were under threat from the sea. Mr. Stephen Molloy said special funding was required for a number of water schemes in the county, most notably in Ballina, Erris and Westport. Mr. Eddie Staunton said the road network in North Mayo was not good enough to attract industry. Mr. Tim Quinn called for greater funding to be given to the Local Improvement Schemes. There were many householders in the county without a proper road to their dwellings. Mr. Quinn also called for the re-introduction of House Reconstruction Grants. Mr. Michael Ring, T.D, put forward the view that members of local authorities should be properly compensated for their work. He welcomed Minister Dempsey's plans to 'give power back' to local authorities. Mr. Pat McHugh highlighted the importance of the Knock /Claremorris bypass. He also asked for the go-ahead to be given to the Irishtown Sewerage Scheme. Mr. Martin Joe O'Toole called for greater funding in the provision of island roads as well as the upgrading of roads leading to beaches and bogs. Ms. Beverley Cooper Flynn welcomed the allocation of £2.7m towards the Castlebar Environs Sewerage Scheme. A proposal to upgrade Castlebar Swimming Pool should be sanctioned immediately, according to Mr. Johnny Mee. Senator Frank Chambers said it was the objective of Mayo County Council to develop the county to its potential and extra funding was required to achieve that. He said Local Improvement Schemes should be matched pound for pound by the Department of the Environment. Mr. Jim Mannion said the Knock/Claremorris bypass should be given priority status and Mr. Ernie Caffrey hoped that Ballina would be selected as one of the towns chosen for the One Stop Shop Pilot Scheme. |
