DUNDALK NEEDS TO SHOUT OUT

DUNDALK Chamber of Commerce is holding a briefing for the general public on Monday January 21 in the County Museum at 7pm to outline the Draft Plan for this Region.

Chamber of Commerce PRO Paddy Malone is hoping for a good attendance at the meeting as he believes it is imperative that pressure is maintained to ensure that Dundalk and Drogheda don’t lose out on opportunities promised in the designation of the M1 corridor as a key growth region.

‘We are in the 89th minute and winning one nil so it would be a shame if we lost out in the last minute,’ he said. ‘ We need to make sure we don’t lose out by not continuing to shout.’

He recalled that Dundalk was set to lose out on Gateway status when the original draft plan was launched two years.

Following on Louth County Council’s recommendation for a linear city of Drogheda/Dundalk along the M1 corridor to be included in the plan, Dundalk Chamber of Commerce invited Minister Eoghan Murphy to Dundalk in July 2017. A delegation from the Chamber comprising Pat McCormick, Rodd Bond and Paddy Malone met with the Minister and impressed on him the importance of the linear city, which they argued should include Newry.

‘WE also made significant proposals regarding the North and the issue of Brexit,’ recalled Paddy.

‘WHEN the document was published in November 2017 our concerns had been addressed,’ he continued. ‘ The M1 corridor was to be a key growth area. It gives an emphasis on both Drogheda and Dundalk as regional growth centres, and also identifies Athlone as a regional town.’

HE said that the plan invites the regional centres to bid for Capital Projects within the 2040 budget, and he noted that Louth Councty Council has already had success in that area.

THE Chamber is urging people to confirm their support for the plan by contacting the East Midland Regional Authority and make submissions on www.emra.ie/rses or email rses@emra.ie.