Harris noncommittal on big ticket issues in the North West?
Dear sir,
Taoiseach Simon Harris was non-committal at Leaders Questions during the past week, to queries from Sligo-Leitrim Independent deputy Marian Harkin, with regard to the big-ticket issues that exist in the north west region of our country.
In reply to Ms Harkin’s questions, he said he favoured balanced regional development, because it was good for Dublin and the rest of the country as a whole.
He further stated that the recent opening of the Atlantic Technological University in Sligo and two community centres in Ballymote and Kilglass showed his government’s commitment to this area, referred to as a’’lagging region’’ by the head honchos in Brussels, needing much support.
In fairness, Mr Harris played a huge role in bringing the university to our region when he was Minister for higher education.
And we thank him sincerely for that. The big-ticket issues that Ms Harkin was referring to, are major-investment in services and infrastructure such as transport, health, law and order, housing, job creation and inward investment.
This would create many much needed job opportunities for our young people and the future generations, who wish to live and work at home instead of having to emigrate to pursue employment opportunities.
That at present there is no functioning rail service between Sligo and Galway, the two biggest population centres in the West of Ireland is mind-boggling to say the least.
If the Taoiseach is serious about attaining balanced regional development throughout the country - as he says he is - perhaps by supporting the above big-ticket issues in this ‘lagging Region’’ in the coming months, will convince us all that he and his government mean what they say.
Otherwise we will remain unconvinced, but still remain positive. As
Tom Towey, Cloonacool, Co Sligo