The problem of road development is a major topic of controversy in many areas, according to several of the regional papers. The Derry People-Donegal News reports: "The original route for a relief road through Glencar Scotch to Sallaghrane on the outskirts of Letterkenny may not now be feasible due to developments which have taken place in the area", according to local councillor Sean Maloney. Problems seem to have arisen which may endanger the proposal.
The Connacht Tribune tells us: "Hundreds of land-owners along the route of the proposed £300 million motorway between Galway and Ballinasloe will be able to view the plans at a series of public displays over the coming weeks". The paper says the "emerging preferred route will cause huge disruption to farmers and householders along the route".
The Tullamore Tribune headlines the news: "National Roads Authority funding for Offaly has rocketed by over 40 per cent this year". Offaly County Council, we are told, has received £3.127 million in improvement and maintenance funding in the 2001 allocations.
The Northern Standard believes "the end is nigh for traffic congestion", following the welcome by the chairman of the Carrickmacross Urban District Council, Cllr Shane O'Hanlon, for the news that "£4.5 million has been sanctioned for the development of the new Carrick bypass which will eliminate present chaotic congestion in the town".
Not so happy is the Westmeath Independent, which carries a headline on its front page saying: "N6 Residents, Landowners Angry at Route Surprise". The paper reports: "The National Roads Authority has come under withering fire for the failure to contact residents and landowners along the emerging preferred route of the Athlone-Ballinasloe dual carriageway - either before or after it was publicly announced".
Job losses is another topic which exercises the regional papers. The Westmeath Independent reports: "Over 60 jobs to go as Dawn Dairies closes plant". We are told: "The shocking news was relayed to workers at a meeting on Wednesday and has led to calls for a special jobs task force to be established in the town [Moate]."
The Waterford News and Star reports: "Twenty-four full-time and 25 part-time jobs are to be lost when the supermarket at Roches Stores, City Square, ceases trading." The employees were told that the decision to drop the food section "was taken in order to concentrate on fashion, cosmetics, sports goods and home furnishings".
Pylons of various kinds also seem to excite a lot of attention. The Sligo Champion's lead story says that 1,000 objections have been lodged with Sligo County Council against the ESB proposal to "construct a new overhead 220 kV power line from Flagford in Co Roscommon to Srasnanagh near Ballintogher in Co Sligo". The paper says there is "also widespread opposition to the development in Roscommon and Leitrim".
In its editorial, the Longford News says: "The announcement of an average rise of 20 per cent for TDs and senators was a bit difficult to take for the average PAYE worker in the light of the fact they received just 5.5 per cent under the PPF agreement". The paper adds: "It will also give ammunition to the teachers' union, ASTI, who are seeking a 30 per cent pay rise".
The Kilkenny People compares politicians in Leinster House to "little boys" who have grown old. "What has been happening in politics in recent weeks is simply pitiful with the Dail becoming a circus ring," the editorial writer says.
The Leinster Express, in its editorial, turns its attention to the vexed question of waste disposal which, it says, is heading to a crisis point.
When an official proposal by consultants that an incinerator be installed to dispose of one-third of the waste in the midlands, "Offaly, Westmeath, and North Tipperary all gave the green light, but Laois councillors resisted for a time for fear the regional incinerator might be located in their county". It appears that when it emerged this would not be the case, and "under further pressure on Fianna Fail members by the Minister, the plan was voted through".