From Castlebar - County Mayo -

Local Papers Commentary
The Mayo News - 19th March 2003
By PJ
19, Mar 2003 - 18:04

New Mayo Ferry Service
A new ferry service for North Mayo has become a distinct possibility with the completion of an initial feasibility study. The ferry service is proposed to connect Achill Island with the Mullet peninsula and would eliminate a current car round trip of over 100 miles involved in travelling between the communities. Mayo County Councillor Frank Chambers has revealed that he has received indications from Minister for the Marine Dermot Ahern that he plans to publish the report and invite public consultation in the near future, which is regarded as a positive sign.

Corrib Gas Terminal Decision due within weeks
The long awaited decision by An Board Pleanala on the proposed Enterprise Energy Ireland Gas terminal in Ballanaboy in North Mayo is expected to be revealed in the second week in April.
The contractors involved in preparation works for the project have not carried out any recent work on the site and are not expected to do so until after the decision. This fact was noted by the Environmental Monitoring Group set up by the Department of The Environment who recently held their fifth meeting on the matter

Westport anti War group and the St Patrick's Day parade
The Anti War Group 'Westport Against War' were initially refused permission to participate in the local St Patrick's Day parade, but then had the ban lifted and were allowed to march after all. The Westport Town Council Parade Committee's defence on the initial refusal of permission was that the day was intended for celebration and not for politics. Over 2,000 people have signed up in support of the group. Liamy McNally, in his weekly column, reveals a baffling decision process on the matter, which even considered whether the inclusion of the group would cause offence to the US owned Allergan's Pharmaceutical Company, the town's biggest employer who themselves include a float in the parade annually.



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