Councillor Keith Martin's website

Court date

2009-11-25T01:16:00.000Z

Still no news on a court date for my hearing. I am sure the courts service are very busy but I am hoping that it will be sooner than later.

Will keep you informed.

-- Post From My iPhone

Happy Halloween!

2009-11-01T01:00:00.001Z

PLANNED CUTS IN SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD PLUNGE FAMILIES INTO WELL OF POVERTY

2009-10-23T12:03:00.001+01:00

PLANNED CUTS IN SOCIAL WELFARE WOULD PLUNGE FAMILIES INTO WELL OF POVERTY

According to Labour's Keith Martin the government's proposal for a cut of €1.3bn in the Social Welfare Budget would devastate the social welfare system, lead to greater inequality in Irish life and plunge those who are already on the lowest of incomes into an even deeper well of poverty.

"The Labour Party acknowledges the burden on the national finances created by the increase in the social welfare budget over recent years, but the most effective way to reduce the bill is to get people back to work.

"A reduction of €1.3bn in the social welfare budget could not be achieved without cutting some or all basic social welfare rates.

"A cut of €1.3bn would represent a reduction of around 6% in the overall social welfare budget. If this were to be applied across the board, it would bring the basic rate of jobseekers allowance down to a little over €192 per week.

"Those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own and those who have worked all their lives and are now on pension, should not be required to pay the price for the recklessness of bankers and for Fianna Fail's mismanagement of the economy over the past twelve years.

"Throughout the past year the mantra from Brian Cowen, Brian Lenihan and others in Fianna Fail has been that 'We are all in this together, and that we will all have to share the burden'. However, it is clear from statements of the Taoiseach and the Minister for Finance that the three sectors that are the key targets are - those on social welfare; those who work in the public service; and those who depend on public services.

In last year's budget Mr. Lenihan spurned the opportunity to raise significant additional revenue by closing the massive tax reliefs available to the super wealthy and ending the scandal of tax exiles.

All the signs are that Fianna Fail will again opt to make their primary targets ordinary workers and those on social welfare.

Keith Martin 086 0691182

URGENT IMPLEMENTATION OF TOURISM SURVIVAL ACTION PLAN NEEDED

2009-10-23T12:00:00.001+01:00

URGENT IMPLEMENTATION OF TOURISM SURVIVAL ACTION PLAN NEEDED

Labour's Keith Martin has called on the Government to immediately implement the survival actions recommended by the Tourism Renewal Group, and not merely set up another quango to oversee the implementation of the report.

"The Government commissioned its own report in the crisis facing the Tourism Sector. The document published by the Tourism Renewal Group is a comprehensive strategy which sets out the scale of the challenges facing the sector.

"We in Westport all know how important Tourism is to our local economy and natinoally it accounts for €1.5 billion of tax revenues and employs over 120,000. The industry is in freefall with 600,000 fewer foreign visitors so far in 2009 compared with the first 8 months in 2008. The drop of more than 123,000 visitors in August, which is a key month for tourism, and the further decline in the number of visitors from Britain – long our most reliable market – are particularly worrying.

"We need immediate implementation of the action plans in the five survival issues. These need to be implemented to stabilise the industry and ensure its survival into the future. Instead of immediate action from Government we have another quango to be established to oversee implementation.

"This type of Fianna Fail bluster is not acceptable. The Government's own Report has recommended a survival plan. It is now incumbent on the Government to deliver on the recommendations.

"We do not need another committee, we need immediate action. Fianna Fáil has become masters at kicking to touch on concrete actions by calling for more reviews, etc. This nonsense must end and we need immediate action to help this industry survive - an industry which is on its knees."

ENDS.

Keith Martin 086 0691182

Lisbon passed

2009-10-04T21:53:00.000+01:00

Delighted with result on Lisbon! Europe has been great for Ireland and now we are stronger together. Time will prove that the concerns of the NO side are not justified or grounded in fact. We are proud to be an island race but that doesn't mean we should be insular. We are leaders not followers in the EU and now it's time to move on.

-- Post From My iPhone

Red flag flies today

2009-10-03T16:18:00.001+01:00

Am flying the red flag of Internationist Socialist Youth from my flagpole today in celebration of the Lisbon vote.

-- Post From My iPhone

Vote Yes

2009-09-29T18:55:00.001+01:00

-- Post From My iPhone

The Mayo News - Criminal could sit on council but I can?t ? Martin

2009-09-29T14:16:00.001+01:00

The Mayo News - Criminal could sit on council but I can?t ? Martin

Shared via AddThis

Lisbon on the road

2009-09-26T22:08:00.001+01:00

Lisbon Posters

2009-09-19T13:14:00.001+01:00

I've put up some of my Lisbon Posters to call for a YES vote again as I want to make sure we make the right decision and also to remind my supporters that "I haven't gone away you know!"

It's always a thrill to be campaigning.

-- Post From My iPhone

Update on disqualification

2009-09-19T12:29:00.001+01:00

Westport Town Council has written to the General Secretary of the Labour Party informing them of the disqualification of Cllr Keith Martin from sitting on Westport Town Council under the provisions of the Local Elections (Disclosure of Donations and Expenditure) Act, 1999; due to a delay in submitting his disclosure.

Westport Town Council have also requested that the Labour Party provide a nominee for co-option to the council to fill Keith Martin's vacant seat.

In the meantime Mr Martin has already written to the Westport Branch of the Labour Party requesting the Branch to compile a shortlist of candidates for co-option "in the event that I am legally unable to retake my seat or unable to retake my seat for personal reasons."

Mr Martin has retained a Barrister and is awaiting a date for Circuit Court hearing in Castlebar into this disqualification. Mr Martin's legal team are attempting to ensure that the hearing will take place before the October meeting of Westport Town Council

Keith Martin

086 0691182

She's back!

2009-09-17T17:27:00.001+01:00

Westport's answer to Air Force One took to the streets again for the
last two weeks of the Lisbon Campaign.

Bedecked in her Yes to Lisbon livery she's turning heads in the
Westport Electoral Area once again.

Update

2009-09-15T00:21:00.002+01:00

I met with my legal team today, looks like it's going to be a Circuit Court case in early October, if I'm lucky.

If not it could be months before we get case heard.

I have also written to the Minister to ask for an extension of the submission date for the declarations. If the minister were to extend the deadline it would mean that I am no longer disqualified and neither would be the hundreds of others who were also late with their paperwork.

Will have to wait and see! Fingers crossed and thanks for your support. It means a lot to me!

-- Post From My iPhone

A week is a long time in politics!

2009-09-09T17:48:00.000+01:00

I have received a letter from John Condon County Secretary of Mayo County Council to say that because I was five days late in submitting my Disclosure of Donations and Expenditures that I have been disqualified from Westport Town Council.

Because I was successfully elected to Westport Town Council I was granted a 7 day grace period by Westport Town Council, however the Act makes no such provision for unsuccessful candidates and thus I am supposedly disqualified from sitting on Westport Town Council by the lack of a grace period from Mayo County Council.

I submitted my completed Disclosure of Donations and Expenditures forms to both local authorities yesterday before 5pm.

It seems very unfair that there is one law for successful candidates and one for unsuccessful candidates and that the rules are such that Mayo County Council can bar me from holding my democratically elected office on Westport Town Council.

I am taking advice and have submitted a medical certificate to explain why I was late with my disclosure.

I await a reply.

Acting Cathaoirleach Cllr Keith Martin

2009-08-10T15:26:00.001+01:00

-- Post From My iPhone

Stabbed Garda is stable

2009-08-10T02:04:00.002+01:00

I am very happy to hear that Garda Daryl Mullen is stable in Castleabar hospital following the attack on him with a knife on Saturday night. He is still on the critical list but it is expected that he will make a full recovery. I hope it will be a speedy recovery.

Letter to Garda Stabbed in Westport

2009-08-10T00:12:00.001+01:00

The Acting Cathaoirleach of Westport Town Council, Cllr Keith Martin has written to Garda Daryl Mullen to express the regret and outrage of the townspeople of Westport at the knife attack on Saturday night which critically injured the young Garda.
In the letter Cllr Martin acknowledged that the Gardai carry out their duties "in the face of such dangers on a regular basis" and that the people of Westport were grateful to him for his "bravery and dedication."
Cllr Martin told Garda Mullen that Westport wishes him a speedy recovery and that he had the "best wishes of the council and townspeople for his convalescence."
..................................................................................................

Garda Daryl Mullen
Care of
Chief Superintendent Anthony McNamara
Garda HQ
Castelbar
Co. Mayo

9 August 2009

Dear Daryl,
I am writing to you to express my regrets at your injuries which occurred while you were carrying out your duties in our town and to tell you how appalled the people of Westport are by this attack upon you.
On behalf of Westport Town Council I want to wish you a speedy recovery and recuperation.
We also wish to acknowledge that you and your colleagues carry out your duties in the face of such dangers on a regular basis and that we are grateful to you for your bravery and dedication.
You have the best wishes of the council and town's people for your convalescence.

Yours sincerely
_____________
Cllr Keith Martin
Leas Cathaoirleach
Westport Town Council

Early Bird trains for Mayo Dublin line

2009-07-15T16:39:00.000+01:00

The CEO of Irish Rail, Mr Richard Fearns, has confirmed to Labour's Cllr Keith Martin that Mayo will be serviced by additional services to Dublin, one of which will be an early bird train which will have commuters from Mayo in Dublin by 8.50am. In his letter to the Labour councillor Mr Fearns said that the new service will begin on September 27th.

Cllr Keith Martin, who has lobbied continuously for the service, has warmly welcomed the news saying "This is great news for Westport and Mayo. We now have greater connectivity as a region and as a tourist town.

"In these terrible economic times this new service is vital to Mayo as we compete for business, investment and strengthen our tourist appeal. The service will facilitate Mayo's 125,000 population in connecting with the world and will make Mayo an easier place to get to.

"The new early bird service has great potential for tourism and for business as it means it is even easier than before to get to and from Mayo from Dublin and to make other train and travel connections such as flights and ferry connections. It is great news for the West."

In February of this year, in response to a unanimous resolution proposed by Labour's Cllr Martin, Westport's Town Clerk wrote to all of Mayo's Local Authorities and Chambers of Commerce soliciting their support for the campaign. The campaign received the full support of Westport Chamber of Commerce, Castlebar Town Council and Castlebar and Ballyhaunis' Chambers of Commerce.

The campaign was begun by the Council in light of Irish Rail's failure to provide a date for the promised extra rail services on the Dublin-Mayo line. These additional services were to include an early bird service.

Cllr Martin concluded saying he wanted to thank all the councillors, councils and chambers of commerce who lent their support to Westport Town Council's campaign.

086 0691182

Back to school allowance for Clothing and Footwear

2009-07-09T15:12:00.001+01:00

The Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance (BTSCFA) is available to families on certain social welfare or other State payments to help with the costs of school clothes and footwear. You may also claim for children aged 18-22 who are in full-time education if you are on a social welfare payment that includes a Qualified Child Increase for them. The scheme runs from June to the end of September each year.

If you are getting a social welfare payment (including Family Income Supplement) or a payment from the Health Service Executive (HSE) you are eligible for BTSCFA if your weekly income is below the following thresholds:

Couple Lone parent
1 child €560 €407
2 children €586 €433
3 children €612 €459
4 children €638 €485
Each additional child €26 €26

If you are on a Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) or are getting a Back to Education Allowance, you are also eligible. The allowance is also available to people on employment schemes such as Community Employment, Back to Work Allowance, Rural Social Scheme and Revenue Job Assist if their gross weekly household income is less than €317.43 (the threshold for keeping secondary benefits). If they do not meet this condition they can apply under the normal income limits given above.

The allowance paid is €200 for each child aged 2-11 years before 1 October 2009 and €305 for each child aged 12-22 years before 1 October 2009.

If you need a form and live in Mayo give me a shout (086) 0691182 or email councillorkeithmartin@gmail.com and I'll post one out to you.

Alternatively you can text for application forms for the allowance simply text FORM BTSCFA to 51909 followed by your name and address.

Application forms are also available on the Department website at www.welfare.ie or from lo call 1890 20 23 25.

Update

2009-07-08T17:00:00.001+01:00

Hello,

I have been busy this week taking care of speed ramps in Carrowbeg Estate and trying to get some new ones for St Mary's Crescent.

Other issues have been following up on housing queries and housing repairs and maintenance.

We have our first monthly meeting of the new council tomorrow night at 6pm in the Civic Offices. It will be interesting to see how that goes.

I am also still following up on representations and issues from the campaign so I have plenty of paperwork to do. Also following up with Irish Rail regarding the promised Early Bird Trains and with the national broadband scheme roll out particularly for Aughagower and Kilmeena where there seems to be a real need for it.

I will keep you all informed as I make progress.

Micandidate

2009-07-06T17:44:00.001+01:00

Whatever happened to micandidate? Did you sign up?Did it meet your expectations? Or was it all hype?

-- Post From My iPhone

Political posters

2009-06-23T13:25:00.002+01:00

I really can't understand why some people get so wound up about political posters.

Posters are only errected for one month every five years and are a great way for candidates, particularly new candidates, to get their faces known by the electorate and to identify themselves and their politics.

Political postering is ancient and goes right back to the early democracies of Greece and Rome and despite the Internet, media and communications revolution it is always going to be with us because it is cheap, simple and above all effective!

Maybe you don't like looking at my mug on the side of the road but that's my right as a candidate to erect posters and promote myself and my policies, if you don't like them don't look at them; but in a constituency as big a Louth where only 17% of homes have access to broadband, posters are still the most effective way of gaining recognition with the thousands of voters who live maybe 40 to 50 miles away from where I live.

Deputy Mayor Martin

2009-06-16T12:58:00.001+01:00

Hi Friends,

I write you today as your Deputy Mayor for Westport! Last night's meeting was very interesting to say the least as FG stretched their muscles and made appointments to committees using their majority to override any opposition.

I was elected to serve as Leas Cathaoirleach under Myles Staunton who is this year's Cathaoirleach and I think its going to be a fun year. It will be interesting to see if FG will wield their majority to great effect or if the council will work as well as it did last term.

A week is a long time in politics so we will have to wait and see!

I'm back!

2009-06-15T01:18:00.000+01:00

Well the dust has settled and I'm back ok Westport Town Council and finished 5th in the county council, pity there's only 4 seats. Got a very respectable 976 votes in county with 602 first preferences. Town vote stayed exactly the same as last time.

Today is AGM of council and it will be very interesting to see how FG who have the majority will handle it when doling out the committees and Chair.

Interesting times for yours truely.

Will update you from the meeting if I get the chance or you can folllow me on Twittet!

-- Post From My iPhone

The End?

2009-06-05T12:23:00.001+01:00

Hello All,

Now we face the end and I am just wondering how will it all end?

If you have yet to vote please give me your No 1 vote.

Keith