Taoiseach Enda Kenny visits town and hears Brexit concerns
A grey mist hung in the air as An Taoiseach paid a flying visit to Louth last Thursday ahead of travelling to Belfast.
As the impact of Britain’s decision to leave the EU - and the exact timing of when this will happen - still remains unclear, he heard the fears and hopes of the local business community ahead of this momentous event in modern European history.
In the impressive new headquarters of Horseware Ireland he listened to how the company, which employs 750 worldwide, is making efforts to meet the challenges of Brexit and hopefully turn it to their advantage.
Dundalk Chamber of Commerce President Mr Michael Gaynor, PRO Mr Paddy Malone and BIDS manager Mr Martin McElligot spoke of the sense of concern among the Dundalk’s traders who fear that a plummeting sterling could send shoppers northwards just as the town was beginning to experience an uplift as the economy begins to recover.
Ms. Georgina Drumm, President of Athletics Ireland and Mr Fintan Reilly chairperson of the Dundalk Athletics Group Committee also met Mr Kenny and made the case for improved athletics facilities for the town.
And it wasn’t just the storm clouds on the economic horizon which were drawn to the Taoiseach’s attention - the very real threat of flooding to local communities was also highlighted by local councillors when he visited Blackrock. In Belles Tearooms, he was assured that this threat wasn’t just a storm in a teacup as he viewed flood plans for the village as well as proposals for a Greenway from Dundalk to Blackrock.
Local Fine Gael TDs, Deputies Peter Fitzpatrick and Fergus O’Dowd and Cllrs Maria Doyle and John McGahon met with An Taoiseach during his visit to Dundalk and north Louth, re-enforcing the cases made by the various groups whom he met.
An Taoiseach also met with officials from Louth County Council, including Chief Executive Joan Martin and Directors of Service who briefed him on the challenges currently facing the local authority.
It was then on to the recently renovated Tourist Office in Carlingford where the Carlingford Forum Group gave an presentation on their plans for the village.
An Taoiseach’s visit to the county ended in the Heritage Centre where he highlighted the current opportunities and challenges that face the tourism sector along the border regions.
Deputy Fitzpatrick said he was very pleased with An Taoiseach’s visit and his committment to assist the Border area.