Four-year wait for hospital appointment - "outrageous"
Michael Ring, Fine Gael spokesperson for Health, has expressed his outrage at the waiting lists for Castlebar General Hospital. A Castlebar man recently received a letter calling him for an appointment in the hospital's Orthopaedic Clinic. The man went to his doctor in 1998 because of a back pain. He had completely forgotten the back pain when the letter came. Deputy Ring was appalled at the length of time it took to be called for an appointment.

Kenny is confident
Enda Kenny made History on Wednesday when he became the first Western based leader of Fine Gael. Before he was nominated, Kenny said that he was confident, and proud to be the favourite for the leadership. Last year Michael Noonan was chosen over Enda Kenny for the job but Noonan resigned after the recent general election because of the parties' disastrous result.
Kenny said that it's time for change for Fine Gael and now that he is leader the party is going to pick itself off the floor and will be "transformed into a powerful and effective force in Irish politics"

Action plan for Lough Lannagh to go on public display
Mayor King had the final vote at a meeting to decide whether or not to adopt the Lough Lannagh area plan. The decision made was to develop the area but not in a way that will impair the natural beauty of the Lakeside. The plan will be on display so that members of the public can see what lies in store for the area. Some of the objectives for the plan are: to preserve the significant tree stock in the area, to develop a linear park as a recreational amenity, to expand the cemetery at Snugboro, to protect all national monuments in the area and to develop residential structures in areas that are not injurious to the visual amenity of the area.