Local Papers Commentary
The Western People - 21 May 2003
26, May 2003 - 17:23

Angling clubs come to defence of NW Fisheries’ Board CEO

Mr Lawson Clements, Chairman of the Lough Conn and Cullin Trout Angling Federation, which represents 5 angling clubs in the Conn/Cullen catchment, has come out in defence of the CEO of the North Western Fisheries Board, Mr Vincent Roche, in his public confrontation with the IFA vice-president Mr Brendan O’Mahony. Mr O’Mahony has publicly expressed criticism of Mr Roche because of attempts by Mr Roche to get the Dept of Agriculture to "police" the REPS programme. Mr Clements said that Mr Roche’s professional integrity was "beyond question." He pointed out that the REPS programme was introduced to prevent damage to the environment from modern farming practices and that for a variety of reasons the REPS has failed to fulfill its remit. Mr Clements said that such was the concern of the Conn/ Cullin Federation that they had made a case for a special REPS scheme for the West to take account of factors such as the high rainfall, the thin soil cover and the already high levels of phosphates in the soil in counties such as Mayo. Mr Clements said that he had challenged Mr O’Mahony, as Chairman of the National Group Water Schemes, to give his opinion as to the source of the pollution of group schemes and groundwater supplies, but that Mr O’Mahony had declined to answer.

Council for the West wants united approach on gas

The Council for the West has called for a united approach from all Western Development interests to encourage the developers of the Corrib Gas field to immediately pursue the location of its land-based gas terminal in Co Mayo. Mr Sean Hannick, Chairman of the Council for the West said the decision of An Board Pleanala was very disappointing but it should not deter Enterprise Energy Ireland from pursuing a further planning application to bring the gas ashore and process it in Co. Mayo. "The Council for the West will be inviting Western Development interests to meet together to discuss how co-ordinated action can lead to ensuring that a fresh planning application for a terminal is pursued as soon as possible".

Archdiocese of Tuam offers new youth ministry course

In a new and innovative step the Archdiocese of Tuam will next Autumn offer adults who work with and have responsibly for young people the opportunity to take a two-year Certificate Course in Youth Ministry. The course, which will be run over eight weekends, hopes to prepare concerned adults to work with young people in ways which foster and nurture faith. Fr Tod Nolan, who is Director of Religious Education for the Archdiocese, said that today’s youth are under immense pressure from all sides. He said that young people were searching without ever knowing what they were searching for. Whatever it was they sought would not be found in violence, alcohol or drugs. The Irish Redemptorists have developed the course specifically for those who are already engaged in youth work/ministry in their local school, community or parish and for those who would like to get involved. The course will commence in late September. Two information evenings will be held about the course. The first will take place in The Monastery, Chapel St., Castlebar, on Monday May 26th at 8pm. The second will take place in The Parish Center, Dublin Rd., Tuam, on Wednesday June 4th at 8pm.