Donegal Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Need to Create an Ireland of Equals - Martin Ferris TD

Published: 10 July, 2006

Martin Ferris TD with Cllr Thomas Pringle & Cllr Pearse Doherty

Martin Ferris TD with Cllr Thomas Pringle & Cllr Pearse Doherty

Sinn Féin TD Martin Ferris, who is the party Spokesperson on Fisheries, has said 'republicans in Donegal have a vital roll to play in the upcoming general election in working to ensure Pearse Doherty and Padraig McLoughlin win seats in each constituency of Donegal to Leinster House'.

Mr. Ferris was in the constituency for a series of meetings with the stakeholders in the fishing industry in the county over the weekend. Speaking at a party function in Donegal Town on Saturday night, Martin Ferris said:

"We in Sinn Fein carry the mantle in this phase of republican struggle just as Bobby Sands and his comrades did twenty five years ago and the goal is the same now as then, the creation of an Ireland of equals where everyone has the right to healthcare, education and a job and Irish people can decide our own future without outside interference.

Earlier in the day accompanied by Cllr. Pearse Doherty and Cllr. Thomas Pringle he met with the Killybegs and District Chamber of Commerce and the Killybegs Fishermen's Organisation to hear at first hand about the state of the fishing community in the area.

Speaking afterwards he said:

"It is clear from the meetings we have had today that the political will does not exist with this government or the Minister for the Marine to develop our fishing communities in a sustainable way and ensure a future for fishermen and the thousands of people involved in shore industries in the area. This has been again highlighted by the recent announcement of the Strategic Review Group and the lack of a fishermen's representative on the body".

Mr Ferris also met with a delegation from the Donegal Inshore Fishermen's group to discuss the crisis in the Salmon fishery. He assured them of Sinn Fein's support for this vital traditional fishery and it's importance for sustaining rural life.

"We have no doubt that it is this governments intention to end drift and draft net fishing in our coastal communities and we in Sinn Fein are committed to ensuring that all those fishermen that wish to follow their traditional fishery can do so into the future".

Earlier on Saturday with Cllr. Mickey McMahon and PJ Branley Mr. Ferris met with a delegation of users of Bundoran Pier and undertook to work to secure funding for improvements to the facilities at the pier.