March Meeting report

The Westport Branch of the Labour Party held its March meeting at Henehan’s bar on Bridge Street this month where it welcomed a new member, John McDonnell to the branch and reviewed its progress and activities over the month.

The meeting was well attended and the branch heard updates from the committee on many issues including the Town Development Plan, the work of the Boundary Commission and the Lisbon Treaty campaign.

Addressing the Branch, Secretary David Fallon outlined the status of the party’s membership in Westport which had increased by three members in three months. Mr Fallon also outlined the progress of the forming of the new Constituency Council for Mayo which was underway. Mr Fallon explained that he was in the process of contacting all members of the Labour Party in Mayo to update them on the council.

Branch Chairman Sean Sammon outlined the progress of the Branch in securing speakers for its planned public meetings on issues of concern to the people of the town and announced that the Selection Convention for the Westport area would be taking place on Tuesday March 25th at 8pm in the Wyatt Hotel. Mr Sammon added that Deputy Pat Rabbitte, Labour’s Spokesperson on Justice would be chairing the convention and would address the meeting on the issue of anti-social behaviour, crime and policing after the convention. Mr Sammon added that he expected a good attendance and explained that the meeting would be open to all Labour supporters and well-wishers in Mayo.

Councillor Keith Martin updated the Branch on his activities and reported on the recent meeting of Labour Councillors at the Mansion House in Dublin. Cllr Martin informed the Branch that he had met with the Party Leader Deputy Eamon Gilmore who had remarked on the great progress being made by the Westport Branch in spreading the party’s message in West Mayo.

Cllr Martin reported on the workshops he attended regarding the local elections of 2009 and also outlined the support that would be available to the Branch for the coming Lisbon Treaty Campaign and proposed a public meeting on the issue.

The meeting was concluded by a general discussion about the Point and Roman Island area and suggestions were made to update the Branch’s submission on the area under the on-going review of the Town Plan.

For more information on membership or the work of the Labour Party in Mayo call Keith on 086 0691182.