Donegal Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Sinn Féin welcome latest demand for improved North West transport infrastructure

Published: 19 June, 2006

Sinn Féin County Councillor Pearse Doherty has welcomed today's conference organised by Omagh/ Sligo Partnership in association with the two cross border council partnerships, Irish Cross Border Area Network (ICBAN) and the North West Cross Border Group (NWCBG). The conference has called on the Irish and British Governments develop the transport infrastructure from Sligo to Belfast and from Dublin to Derry.

Cllr Doherty said:

"This conference has sent a powerful and united message that the potential of the North West region can not be unlocked unless the two Governments are willing to invest in the necessary roads or transport infrastructure. Over the next ten years, the Irish Government have announced plans to spend 100 billion euro on transport infrastructure across the state and the island. The North West requires only 5% of this to develop the Sligo/ Belfast and Dublin/ Derry corridor. If this region is to move away from the economic depression we have endured over recent times, then the Governments need to take immediate action to address the historical neglect. No amount of glossy press releases will undo this reality".

"Sinn Féin have consistently called for a joint approach from the two Governments to addressing the infrastructure deficit in the North West region. An all-Ireland approach. We therefore heartily welcome the united approach evident at today's conference. Councils on both sides of the border, ICBAN, NWCBG, IBEC, and the Western Development Commission now all agree that the two Governments need to deliver on these demands if this region is to achieve its potential".

"Sinn Féin will also continue to push for a peace dividend of £10 billion from the two Governments to help bolster the six counties and the border counties to move from economic depression and particularly the North-West region. Today Sinn Féin will raise this issue with the British Chancellor of the Exchequer, Gordon Brown during meetings in the North".