People in North West ‘are tired hearing of economic recovery’
Towns like Sligo, Letterkenny and Carrick-on-Shannon are crying out for investment according to Fianna Fáil TD Marc MacSharry who has called on the Government to ensure that the North West is included in the National Planning Framework.
He also wants a co-ordinated strategy including a capital investment plan devised to boost economic activity in the region.
Deputy MacSharry said: “People living in Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim and parts of the Midlands are incensed by the Government’s draft National Planning Framework, which essentially has excluded the North West and parts of Mayo, Roscommon and Westmeath.
“No town or village north of Galway and Dublin has been mentioned, exposing the government’s Dublin and urban focused attitude to investment.
“Towns like Sligo, Letterkenny and Carrick on Shannon are crying out for investment. The fact that there still isn’t a motorway from either Dublin or Galway to the North West speaks volumes about where its place on the priority list is.
“This region has been completely forgotten by Fine Gael and this draft plan is an indication that it has no intention of changing that.
“I attended last week’s public meeting in Athlone, and people living across the North West and midlands were extremely vocal in their anger.
“They’re tired of hearing about the economic recovery and not feeling or seeing any of the effects.
“Many do not even have access to essential services like a decent broadband connection, never mind expecting high tech infrastructure projects to begin on their doorstep.
“Whatever changes are made the government must devise a strategy, backed by investment to ensure that the regions can perform to their potential.
“Fine Gael TDs and Senators appear to be finally waking up to the fact that the draft plan is a shambles, especially for people living in this region.
“I have made submissions during the consultation process and I will be continuing to keep pressure on local TDs and Ministers to start delivering for the North West.”
Deputy MacSharry added: “The message from the incredibly well attended meeting in Athlone on the disastrous Draft National Planning Framework was clear : We are shouting stop!
Cross party, independents, community, business and farming organisations united to demand that this plan adequately enables our regions to perform to our potential.
“It is vitally important that the unity displayed at the meeting continues in Dáil Éireann to ensure that tangible steps are taken to reverse the insular draft plan as proposed by FG to provide investment and resources where capacity currently exists.
“This will take pressure off our established cities to allow them space to continue as the strong economic drivers they have been in the past but it’s crucial we embrace the potential of the vast potential north of the Dublin Galway line heretofore substantially ignored in its capacity to be a substantial national economic driver together with our cities. We need enabling infrastructure and the ingenuity of our people will do the rest.”