POST OFFICE CLOSURES AN ATTACK ON THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

Up to 500 post offices could be closed by An Post after a review of the network to be completed this year. This in my view is an appalling attack on an important part of our community.

The postal network has already been decimated under the lifetime of the government. In 2000 there were around 1800 postal units in the network, yet this figure has now dropped to just 1300. Without doubt, these closures will affect many rural communities throughout Mayo

If 500 more post offices are to close down we could be left with less than 800 post offices throughout the whole country and whole communities may be forced to travel for miles to access essential postal services throuhout this county.

Postmasters and postmistresses in Mayo are right to protest at the utter lethargy shown by the government towards the postal sector. They have legitimate and deep frustration at low wages, poor working conditions, the increased attacks on post offices and the non-automation of nearly 400 post offices.

Too many communities around the county have already been devastated by the closure of their local post office, which plays a vital economic and social role in both rural and urban areas, especially for older people.

Pat Rabbitte and the Labour Party will continue to pressure the Government to do their duty for the Irish postal network and establish a proper postal strategy to secure the long-term survival of a nation-wide and viable post office network.

Barrett calls for Minister for the Regions

It is high time we see the appointment of a Minister for the Regions in a new administration, to oversee the spending of both exchequer and European monies in areas of disadvantage. I made this call at a special meeting with both Ruairi Quinn ,T.D. and Mr. Michael D Higgins, T.D., at the recent Labour Party Conference in Dublin last Saturday.

The divide between east and west is greater now that at any time in the history of the state. Monies that should have been spent in Mayo and other western counties has gone to build huge road and rail projects along the east coast. The reality is that nobody is responsible for this pickpocketting of the people of the west.

I want a minister of cabinet rank to take charge of regional development in a new administration, so that this sort of bogus planning for the west, seen under the National Development Plan, (NDP) is held up to account. A Minister in this regard would oversee the planning and delivery of the key road, rail, power and broadband networks needed to allow us to attract high end industry into the county and other .

When we read that Allergan in Westport cannot expand due to power ESB difficulties and when we see the state of the rail network we have to endure, it is time to put one person in charge of the provision of these vital network upgrades. I have had detailed meetings with both Labour deputies mentioned above, and this idea is very much on the cards. We are all in agreement in terms of what needs to be done. We have waited long enough. Let me know what you think of this idea....post a comment...

m: 087 9713268

e: harrybarrett1@eircom.net
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Calling all housebuyers: Refuse Estate Agents Price Rise!

I find it truly unbelievable that estate agents are considering increasing their commission rates for property sales in anticipation of a slow down in house prices. At no stage over the last decade had estate agents in Mayo considering lowering their rates despite them making massive profits on the back of the property boom all over the country.
The Institute of Professional Auctioneers and Valuers met this morning (Monday, 5th) to consider increasing their rates by up to 33% due to a slowdown in the housing market. This will mean house-buyers in Mayo who already have to pay record prices, forking out an average €1,750 extra for house sales. Yet it is auctioneers and estate agents who have done very well over the last decade. They made massive amounts of money from their commission rates, yet never offered to lower these to make life easier for buyers forced to pay record prices for even the most modest properties.
Once again, this move underlines the need for new legislation to regulate auctioneers and estate agents. Indeed many auctioneers and estate agents have themselves sought increased regulation.
Throughout the recent property boom Labour has made numerous proposals at various different times for new legislation to: 1) Outlaw price gazumping 2)Ensure housing estates are properly completed: there are 33 such estates in Castlebar alone. 3) egulate auctioneers and estate agents 4) Give homebuyers increased consumer protection
On each occasion the Government has shot down these proposals. In doing so they have exposed home buyers in Mayo and all over to exploitation and rip-off in the housing market. While the market may be slowing down to some extent, this is not a reason for such sharp practice to continue and Labour in government is committed to legislating to protect the house-buyer in this county from such behaviour from auctioneers and estate agents.

m:087 9713268

e: harrybarrett1@eircom.net

w: http://harrybarrett.blogspot.com

Barrett wants cycle lanes for Castlebar

I have recently written to the Town Council to examine the possibility of providing cycle lanes in the county town. Such a move would encourage young people and and adults to travel to school, work and recreation on their bikes, thereby relieving traffic congestion and providing them with the added benefits of exercise.

Cycle lanes are the norm throughout Europe in regional towns. Children are asked to execise more but we fail to provide safe routes for them to cycle. Castlebar has many options for such lanes. Children from the Wesport Road could easily be accommodates if a proper cycle lane was marked on the ring road. If children were encouraged to use their bikes more often it would alleviate traffic pressures at peak times, it would provide the benefits of added exercise in an era when we are told that obesity is a growing problem and it would be one less journey for hard pressed parents who are constantly "taxiing" around the town.

I have written to the Town Council to investigate this idea and I will stay with it until a start is made to provide a safe option for children and adults who want to use a bike to get to work and school.

m: 0879713268

e: harrybarrett1@eircom.net

w: http://harrybarrett.blogspot.com

Barrett welcomes GP card for all children under 5


The recent proposal to give GP cards to all children under the age of 5.will alleviate the financial pressure on young parents who are constantly using a GP service with young children. This proposal is a key element in the joint health policy published recently by both parties. The plan also commits both parties to providing an extra 2,300 hospital beds, free health insurance for all children under 16 and medical cover for 40 per cent of the population in a package of reforms that will cost 1.1 billion euro.

I especially welcome the proposals that relate to children. As a parent myself, I understand the financial pressures on young parents who have to pay for regular GP visits with young children, it's a hugh expense in the first 5 years. I also commend the promise to provide 1,500 extra consultants and the scrapping of the plans by Minister Harney to build private hospitals on private lands. This government has locked itself into a policy of providing tax incentives to developers to build private clinics on the grounds of public hospitals without cross party support .

I also commend this proposal as it will reduce the cost to patients of GP care, focusing on the needs of families. Over the life time of the new Government, we will extend medical card coverage to 40% of the population, increasing the income thresholds for qualification, and enhancing the weighting for children in assessing medical card eligibility.

m: 087 9713268

e: harrybarrett1@eircom.net

w: http://harrybarrett.blogspot.com

Poll confirms mood for change

It is with a feeling of vindication that I welcome the results of the latest tns/mrbi opinion poll published today, Friday. This poll disposes of the myth being put forward by some commentators over recent months that the ‘election is over’ and that the Fianna Fail/PD coalition is ‘on course for re-election’. The poll would also appear to suggest that the unexpected ‘bounce’ that Fianna Fail received from the Bertiegate affair has begun to dissolve and that the budget and the NDP have not delivered the electoral bonus that they had expected. And it would appear to confirm that the Progressive Democrats are in very deep trouble.

The similar poll in the Irish Times (December 3) put the combined vote of Fianna Fail and the PDs at 43% - five points ahead of the combined Labour/Fine Gael vote. In this poll the Fianna Fail/PD (38%) vote is just a single point ahead of the combined Labour/Fine Gael vote. If the Green Party vote was included in the ‘alternative government’ the combined vote would be 45% - well within reach of an overall majority. One particularly encouraging feature for us is the continuing strong approval rating for the Party Leader, Pat Rabbitte. His poll ratings have been consistently in the mid to high forties. Indeed he is the only one of the six party leaders whose approval ratings have never fallen below 40% over the period of these polls going back to 2003

The recently announced health policy, published by Labour and Fine Gael, to provide free GP cards to all children under 5, combined with the proposal to provide free health insurance to all children under 16 has yet to feature in the polls. This groundbreaking policy will see more consultants and hospital beds delivered to give hard working families and older peoplle the health system they deserve. The election is still there to be won and lost. The objective of putting this government out of office and replacing it with a government for change, is entirely achievable,"concluded Harry Barrett.

m: 087 9713268

e: harrybarrett1@eircom.net

w: http://harrybarrett.blogspot.com

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Barrett explains, "The similar poll in the Irish Times (December 3) put the combined vote of Fianna Fail and the PDs at 43% - five points ahead of the combined Labour/Fine Gael vote. In this poll the Fianna Fail/PD (38%) vote is just a single point ahead of the combined Labour/Fine Gael vote. If the Green Party vote was included in the ‘alternative government’ the combined vote would be 45% - well within reach of an overall majority. "One particularly encouraging feature for us is the continuing strong approval rating for the Party Leader, Pat Rabbitte. His poll ratings have been consistently in the mid to high forties. Indeed he is the only one of the six party leaders whose approval ratings have never fallen below 40% over the period of these polls going back to 2003 "The recently announced health policy, published by Labour and Fine Gael, to provide free GP cards to all children under 5, combined with the proposal to provide free health insurance to all children under 16 has yet to feature in the polls. This groundbreaking policy will see more consultants and hospital beds delivered to give hard working families and older peoplle the health system they deserve. The election is still there to be won and lost. The objective of putting this government out of office and replacing it with a government for change, is entirely achievable,"concluded Harry Barrett.

Barrett welcomes GP card for all children under 5

An excerpt from a press release on the above topic....please feel free to leave a comment. I would love to hear your views on the issue.

Harry Barrett, Labour’s general election candidate, has welcomed a joint Labour/Fine Gael proposal to give GP cards to all children under the age of 5. This proposal will alleviate the financial pressure on young parents who are constantly using a GP service with young children. This proposal is a key element in the joint health policy published recently by both parties. The plan also commits both parties to providing an extra 2,300 hospital beds, free health insurance for all children under 16 and medical cover for 40 per cent of the population in a package of reforms that will cost 1.1 billion euro.

Speaking after the launch, Mr Barrett stated, “I especially welcome the proposals that relate to children. As a parent myself, I understand the financial pressures on young parents who have to pay for regular GP visits with young children, it's a hugh expense in the first 5 years. I also commend the promise to provide 1,500 extra consultants and the scrapping of the plans by Minister Harney to build private hospitals on private lands. This government has locked itself into a policy of providing tax incentives to developers to build private clinics on the grounds of public hospitals without cross party support .

“I also commend this proposal as it will reduce the cost to patients of GP care, focusing on the needs of families. Over the life time of the new Government, we will extend medical card coverage to 40% of the population, increasing the income thresholds for qualification, and enhancing the weighting for children in assessing medical card eligibility.concluded Harry Barrett.

m: 087 9713268

e: harrybarrett1@eircom.net
w: http://harrybarrett.blogspot.com

Recent letter to Western People

Below is a recent 'letter to the editor' I wrote to highlight what is really going on at Government level concerning certain local projects...read on and let me know your views

Sir,

“Reheat, reuse and recycle,” seems,” to be the new motto of this government in relation to several projects in this county. Minister Roche has recently reheated plans for a sewerage treatment plant for Belmullet, despite the fact that an announcement of funding for the project was made as far back as 2002. Five years later, not one acre of ground has been purchased and thousands of litres of polluted water makes its way into Broadhaven bay, a special area of conservation (SAC) on a daily basis.

It is cynical electioneering at its best to see the Minister, and government representatives, reusing announcements of funding for projects that are key to protecting our environment, and is an insult to the people of Belmullet who have had to wait patiently without any progress.

Local papers in September 25, 2002 read: “Over €200m sewerage and water works in pipeline, “ Belmullet Sewerage granted 2.5 million. Again in August 20, 2003, we read, “€300m investment for water and sewerage schemes, Belmullet granted 5 million euro.” And again in August 25, 2004 we read, “Go-ahead for Belmullet Sewerage Scheme, The Belmullet Sewerage Scheme is included in the Department’s Water Services Investment Programme to commence construction in 2005 and the estimated cost of the scheme is €16 million.”

Who are they fooling? This government has become world leaders at recycling press releases and project announcements. Unfortunately, the effects of such delays seem to impact more on the people of the west when we read that projects and spending on the east coast is well ahead of schedule. Hiding behind planning and “polluter pays principles” will not wash anymore.

A new government will fastrack these essential projects for our towns and villages by making special allowances for the smaller scale of commercial activity in rural areas. If projects can come in on time in other parts of the country, they can do the same in Belmullet. It is my hope that the electorate in the Erris area decides to buy new, rather than recycle a government that has just delivered nothing but another press release about a key project in Belmullet.

Ends

Harry Barrett,
Labour candidate

m: 087 9713268
e: harrybarrett1@eircom.net
w: http://harrybarrett.blogspot.com