Local Papers Commentary
Mayo News - 14 November 2002
By Peter Jordan
Nov 14, 2002, 17:41

2.57 Million tourists visited West of Ireland in 2001
According to the annual report of the Western Regional Tourism Organisation, the region hosted 2.57 million tourists during 2001 and these visitors accounted for a total spend of 638 million euro with approximately 60% being spent in County Galway, 30% in County Mayo and the remaining 10% being spent in County Roscommon. Just under one-third of the visitors visited one of the nineteen tourist information offices in the region during their visit.

Plans for West Rail Service derailed
The removal of a crossover at Athenry Railway Station in Co. Galway, by Iarnród Eireann, is being interpreted as a major blow to train services for the West of Ireland. The connection facilitated the connection between the Claremorris line and the Athenry-Limerick line and is considered essential for the creation of a Western Rail Corridor. Iarnród Eireann have claimed that the move is not necessarily a permanent one and is being undertaken to save on maintenance costs.

Cowley claims Government not prepared to deliver infrastructure for Mayo
The Independent T.D. for Mayo, Dr. Jerry Cowley, commenting on a reply given to a Dail Question tabled by him from Minister Dermot Ahern, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, has claimed that the government has reneged on its promise to deliver a natural gas service to Ballina and Sligo and has no intention of bringing it to other towns in Mayo since Bord Gais has already decided that that no town in Mayo is commercially viable.

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