Minister Shane Ross should come to Sligo
Madam Editor, Now that Transport Minister Shane Ross has discovered that rural Ireland exists outside of the M50 and the Red Cow roundabout, after his trip to Kerry over the Easter period at the invitation of the Healy- Raes, one would hope that his mind has been broadened about the problems that are encountered by the rural way of life. No doubt his hosts enlightened him that the closure of shops, pubs, credit unions, bank branches, garda stations, food manufacturing units, co- op head offices, government department offices, and the general centralisation of services to the bigger towns and cities, has had a terrible effect on the smaller towns and villages of rural Ireland. He commented during his trip down south that he was getting the feeling that “Dublin is getting too much.’’ On local radio he said: ‘’ We’re not out and about in the areas that feel neglected, and that we are sometimes a little bit too distant in Dublin.’’ He even went for a drive on ‘ potholed‘ country roads. After his visit to the Kingdom - which is to be welcomed - perhaps he might consider a trip to the west and Northwest of the country to continue his education, and also his engagement with ordinary country folk. Perhaps the Minister who was very quiet during the Bus Éireann dispute, is at last realising that the only way to solve a problem is to talk, and engage with people in every part of the country. Yours Sincerely, Tom Towey Cloonacool, Co. Sligo,