Council fiercely criticised at Fine Gael launch

Mayo County Council came in for fierce criticism as Fine Gael launched their local election campaign last week.

Party TDs and councillors vented their frustration with the local authority at the launch in the Michael Davitt Museum in Straide on Monday, April 8.

“Mayo County Council has failed the people of Co Mayo,” stated Deputy Michael Ring.

He accused the local authority of letting people down when it comes to the provision of housing.

“Going back to 1994, we had no money but we were building 100 houses in Westport, Castlebar, Ballina and everywhere else. What’s going on now, the Government is to blame because we haven’t controlled the county council. They (the council) are too lazy. If I was Minister for Housing tomorrow the first thing I would do would be to take housing away from councils."

Deputy Ring bemoaned the abolition of the dual mandate for TDs which previously allowed them to sit on county councils.

“When TDs were in the council they kept manners on the county managers. And that’s why they wanted us out!” 

He said the ‘biggest ever single mistake’ made by a Fine Gael government was the abolition of town councils.

Deputy Alan Dillon and Deputy Ring accused the council of failing to allocate and spend State money adequately and expediently.

“At times they (Mayo County Council) wash their hands and blame Government,” said Deputy Dillon.

“We have millions outstanding that I allocated five years ago to Mayo County Council. Projects all over this county have not been delivered,” added Deputy Ring.

Cllr Jarlath Munnelly accused Mayo County Council of failing to engage with councillors on the issue of affordable housing.

“I don’t understand how our other colleagues aren’t outraged by this but we are,” said the Killala councillor.

Foxford-based Cllr Neil Cruise said areas of the county have been neglected by the local authority. He pleaded with Government TDs to make county councils more accountable.

“Will you make the county managers accountable to a sub-committee. Please do that. Make them accountable to the Public Accounts Committee,” said Cllr Cruise. “There is a shocking amount of money being wasted,” he added.

Facing into an election campaign, the ills of social media were discussed at the manifesto launch.

Deputy Ring called on the Government to introduce more regulation of social media platforms.

“There are no standards in social media and if we don’t do something about it it’s going to destroy society, it’s going to destroy politics, and it’s going to destroy anyone going into any organisation in this country.” 

MEP Maria Walsh has spoken about the potential dangers of AI deep fakes for female candidates.

“Once they are out there it’s very difficult to say that should be discredited or it’s disinformation,” said the sitting MEP.

She said social media accounts should be treated like Revolut or Airbnb where a protected identification goes alongside your name to curb the spread of fake news and bots.

Fine Gael is running five new candidates in this year’s local election in Mayo.

The new candidates say they knew what they signed up for when they put their name on the ballot paper and have yet to be stung by distemper on the doorsteps.

“I’m the youngest candidate in Mayo and there hasn’t been anyone who has been particularly rude," said Swinford-based candidate Antoinette Peyton. "You aren’t always going to get a warm reception but you can put your best foot forward and say 'I’m a new candidate with a clean slate.’ You’re not going to have everyone open the doors with warm and welcome arms but that’s the life we are all in."

Her party colleague, Alma Gallagher, said candidates are going into the campaign with their eyes open.

"We knew what we were signing up to when we put our hat in the ring.

"Not every house I call to will be a traditional Fine Gael house, but at the same time, people respect the fact that we are young women putting ourselves forward and respect the fact that people like myself have worked hard for several years on the ground and know what the issues are."

Tiernaur-based candidate Pat Chambers had little to complain about on the doorsteps in his local area.

“I have got an unbelievable response so far. I was invited for tea in every house!”

Fine Gael's stock at national level may be low but Deputy Dillon, who was promoted to Minister of State 48 hours later, contended that their new leader Simon Haris will give the party a bump.

"The Ard Fheis was a really positive event, you could feel the energy and spirit in our party."