Rate bills look set to close the doors of more businesses in Westport this year, that’s the view of a West Mayo councillor who is accusing Mayo County Council of taking its eye of the ball in terms of investment into Westport town.

Fine Gael councillor Peter Flynn says there is no significant local authority investment in Westport planned for 2023 and he insists that funding is needed to ensure that the town remains the county’s, and one of the country’s, main tourist town.

He says a number of long established businesses in Westport have announced their intention to cease trading over the past number of months and he warns the situation is set to get significantly worse as many businesses in the town are facing rate bills that have risen in excess of 200 percent.

The councillor made the comments at the monthly West Mayo Municipal District meeting and the Director of Services, Catherine McConnell stated that the West Mayo district, in fact, had received a high level of government investment recently under a range of schemes.

Nonethless, councillor Flynn argues that the monies are not directed at Westport town. He’s been speaking to Midwest News Editor Teresa O’Malley