Local Papers Commentary
Connaught Telegraph - 9th January 2002
By Neasa McGarrigle
Jan 10, 2002, 08:47

Cedar Employees Face Uncertain Times
The jobs of staff at Cedar Software and services plant are under threat. The British-based company suffered huge losses in the London Stock Exchange and has a current net debt of £38.4 million sterling. However, on Monday the British venture capital firm, Alchemy, announced an interest in Cedar and made a bid of £3.8 million sterling for Cedar. Cedar have not accepted the bid yet but even if it does the jobs of staff in the call centre will still be threatened due to changes the take-over would bring.

Further Continuing Investment in Westport Rail Line
Over the next fourteen weeks services on the railway line between Claremorris and Westport will be disrupted due to the relaying and upgrading of the track. The upgrading of the Dublin to Claremorris route has been completed. Buses will take passengers from Claremorris to Westport and Castlebar during this period. The upgraded tracks will result in faster more reliable and safer train services.

Landlords 'Penalised' for Housing Psychiatric Patients
Landlords who rent accommodation to psychiatric patients are having problems getting public liability insurance. This is having serious consequences for the integration of people with mental illness into the community. A member of the Western Health Board considered it a shocking indictment that insurance companies considered the illness a stigma and were penalising landlords in this way. Ms Sheelagh Ryan, CEO of the Health Board said she would be tackling the problem as a matter of urgency.

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