Its Time For Action in West Donegal
Published: 12 November, 2009
At Tuesdays meeting of the Glenties electoral area Cllr Marie Therese Gallagher, opened discussion on the ever-increasing employment situation in the Rosses and Dungloe.
With Planning statistics down by 100% over a 12 month period, Cllr Gallagher felt that it was time for the local area committee to acknowledge their responsibilities and stand up and fight for the needs of West Donegal.
"With the announcement over the weekend that Ostan na Rosann is closing its doors, it is time for public representatives to take responsibility for the a lot of the underlying reasons for the continuing haemorrhaging of jobs in this area. With another 30 people out of work due to this closure, and the closure of the fishermans co-op in Burtonport there is a depression setting in, in this area."
"Our infrastructure is a major problem for business, the state of the N56 is nothing short of a disgrace, and having been ignored by the NRA over the years we have to ask what emphasis if any have our TD's put on this essential road which links South Donegal and West Donegal. The needs of West-Donegal have been ignored over the years and it is nothing short of an insult to the people to have to put up with this behaviour from Dublin."
"There are a long list of problems that are easily identifiable, such as the roads network, the difference in VAT rates has crippled local business's, the closure of the fishing industry, the closure of industrial factory's and the downturn in our tourism Industry, the lack of real political will by this Government over this last 12 years to invest in Donegal has crippled our area."
"Its up to us to plug a whole in this seemingly bottomless pitt of bad news. Stand up and say enough is enough. We need real solutions; Sinn Fein has proposed that a harmonisation in the VAT rate across the 32 counties is essential to keep our struggling small and medium size businesses afloat. A reduction in excise duty should be implemented immediately, this would decrease the cost of alcohol and give an incentive to the vintners association and hoteliers to remain open and give a much needed boost to our tourism industry coming up to the Christmas period. We need a concerted effort to promote the Rosses as a tourist area. We need to see action from all state bodies in this area, with a multi agency group involving Udaras, the County Council, Bord Failte and the County Development Board, throwing out the rule book and rolling their sleeves up and coming up with real measures that will make a real difference to our employment crisis. Red-tape has to be a thing of the past, it has been used and excuse over the last number of years to do nothing. Although it is crystal clear that Donegal as a county has failed, with 30% unemployment, and we have been consistently at the top end of the unemployment list all through the Celtic tiger years, it is time to look at the positives."
"We have one of the most unspoilt and spectacular scenic areas in the world, we have the biggest Gealtacht area in Ireland, we have beautiful islands, and miles of stunning sandy beeches, We have an international airport that connects us to not only the capital city and Scotland but also chartered flights to the continent, but the roads infrastructure to and from the airport leave a lot to be desired, we can change this if the political will exists."
"The people of Dungloe and the Rosses have proven over the years their great willingness to work and are famous all over the world for their hard work and determination, unfortunately immigration has been a necessity for most young men and women in the Rosses over the last century, we need to change this trend and give hope to our young people that there is a future in Dungloe and the Rosses and its up to us to ensure that the future will be bright, that change is possible and that there is an alternative if the political will exists and recognition is given to the difficulties and deficits that exist, we can wipe the slate clean and build on the positives. There is no doubt that we face difficult times but I have no doubt the people of the Rosses have the ability to turn it around if they get real back-up from their public representatives. Its time to reinvent this area. Its time for action."
|
