Minister gets the message - Drogheda open for business!
PASCHAL Donohoe, Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform, has been given a clear message following a visit to Drogheda recently - the town is open for business and needs to become a key development centre for the North East.
Deputy Fergus O’Dowd arranged the visit and attended with chamber president Paddy Callaghan, and fellow Council Members Ken Rooney; Eddie Phelan; Robert Murray and Brian Hanratty.
In a detailed presentation, Brian briefed the Minister on Drogheda Chamber’s submission to the National Planning Framework which advocates that Drogheda is designated as a key national centre for development, leading to Ireland’s largest town becoming the country’s next city.
‘Following his visit, I believe the Minister now has a clearer understanding of Drogheda’s strengths and our legitimate, evidence based claim to have Drogheda’s position formalised as the key national development centre in the North East. He will also have a better understanding of our rapid population growth and the attractiveness of our location and infrastructure for both businesses and families alike. All this evidence confirms Drogheda’s legitimate claim to be on track to become Ireland’s next city,’ the president stated.
‘We also outlined to the Minister the scale of commuting locally that results in Drogheda having the greatest loss of daytime working population of any town in Ireland, creating a huge social, economic and environmental cost for students and families in the Greater Drogheda area which has a detrimental effect on local businesses as well.
‘ The discussion also covered the difficulties and lost opportunities created by the Greater Drogheda area being managed by two different Local Authorities and the absence of senior Local Government management and key State agencies such as Enterprise Ireland; IDA and LEO as well as Tourism and Heritage Officers in Ireland’s largest town.’