22 July 1998

BY TOM KELLY

Fianna Fail members of Mayo County Council are involved in behind-the-scenes moves to ensure that the recommendations of the boundary committee are rejected by Environment Minister, Mr. Noel Dempsey, T.D.

They believe the proposed changes to the electoral areas could sound the death knell for Mayo's rural communities.

The views of the party in the county have been conveyed to members of the Fianna Fail National Executive who will be involved in crunch talks with the Minister on Saturday in Dublin. There are two Mayo members on the executive, namely Senator Frank Chambers and Mr. Dara Calleary.

Mr. Stephen Molloy, the outgoing F.F. chief whip on the council, revealed there was a strong feeling within political circles in Mayo that the Boundary Committee had 'looked after' the big urban area to the detriment of the rural communities.

He explained: "There are genuine fears that the rural parishes will lose representative. In my own area, for instance, Crossmolina has three representatives on the council. That could be reduced to just one in the next local elections if the report is accepted.

"The same applies to Killala, which has one representative at the present time. The town could be left without a seat next time. The situation applies to many other parts of the county, including the Foxford and Newport areas."

Mr. Molloy said the Fianna Fail members of the council were seeking their own meeting with Minister Dempsey before a final decision on the boundary changes are made in September.

This call has been supported by the new council chairman, Mr. Al McDonnell, who said there was 'no logic' to changing the existing electoral areas.

Connaught Telegraph - News & Sport - July 1998